Records relating to the dioceses of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise

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Ar676m GENEALOGY COLLECTION

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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

, 3 1833 00674 1745

RECORDS

RELATING TO

ARDAGH AND CLONMACNOISE

RECORDS

RELATING TO THE DIOCESES OF

ARDAGH AND CLONMAGNOISE

BY THE

VEEY EEY. JOHN CANON MQNAHAN, D.D., V.E.

^^/.Ucit' Mit]^ lap.

DUBLIN"
M. H. GILL AND SON, O'CONNELL STREET

1886

M. H. GILL AND SON, PRINTERS, DUBLIN.

1135S2S

TO

^ THE RIGHT KEY. DR. WOODLOCK,

BISHOP OF ARDAGH AND CLONMACNOISE,
V . THIS COLLECTION OF

RECORDS

I

AS A TOKEN OF

GRATEFUL FEKLING FOR THE

MANY FAVOURS

RECEIVED AT HIS HANDS,

BY

HIS DEVOTED FAITHFUL SERVANT,

J. CANON MONAHAN, D.D.

Banagher,

28tli August, :

PREFACE.

At the suggestion of my venerated Bishop, the Right Rev.
Dr. Woodlock, I commenced the collection of these records,
with the view of rescuing from oblivion the names and actions
of those prelates who, in their days, ruled over these an-
cient dioceses, pleased God, and were found just. Such a
suggestion should have for me the force of a command.
Besides, it is fitting that the history of our Bishops should
be known, and their names held in benediction amongst us,
from generation to generation. St. Paul has commanded us to
remember our " prelates." I, therefore, entered upon this work
witKa willing and earnest spirit. The field of inquiry I soon found
to be vast — ^much neglected, and scattered over with ruins and few
inscriptions upon them. Some portions of that field I found almost
barren and waste, without remain or trace of cultivation of any
kind. Other parts were, indeed, strewn with fallen fruits ; but
being huddled together in such heaps of disorder and negli-
gence, as rendered it very difficult to collect much that is pala-
table and digestible for cultivated and refined appetites ; thus
the prospect generally, presented a dismal and disheartening
coup-d'mil. Happily, there were here and there bits and corners
in very good order, upon which evidently the care and atten-
tion of highly skilled and accomplished labourers had been
employed ; and these cheered me on when I was tempted to aban-
don the work for want of continuity of materials. I am fully

conscious of Low imperfectly I have accomplislied the object I
placed before myself, viz., to collect and publish a fairly read-
able record of the names of the prelates that succeeded SS. Mel
and Kieran, in the government of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise,
down to the present time ; to accentuate the chief ecclesiastical
events occurring within the limits of these dioceses, during their
episcopate, and to touch remarkable historic facts that took
place outside the boundaries of their Sees, but with which they
had notable connection. The task was certainly a laborious one,
and in some respects a thankless one. It is a branch of Ktera-
ture commanding only a very limited number of votaries.
From its admirers I confidently expect an indulgent sympathy
in condoning the shortcomings and defects of these collections.
To all others I say —

•' Oh, blame me not if I love to dwell on Ardagh's early glory ;
Oh, blame me not, if too oft I tell the same inspu'ing story.
'Tis much to know that our loved saints then
To their cloisters the strangers drew,
And taught the Goth and Saxon men
All of heaven the old earth knew.
'Tis much to know that in the West,
The sun of our wisdom rose.
And the barbarous clouds that scarred its breast,
Were scattered like baffled foes ;
To know that in our hearts there dwell.
Some seeds of the men of story.

' ' Oh, blame me not if I love to tell.
Of Ardagh's ancient glory."

— Irene.

In conclusion, I gratefully thank the many kind friends
who assisted me, by written or oral instruction, by the loan of
books, or otherwise aided me in this undertaking. Prominently
amongst them I shall always remember his Eminence Cardinal
Moran, Archbishop of Sydney; the Eight Eev. Dr. Wood-
lock, Lord Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise ; the Right Rev.
Dr. Healy, Bishop of Clonfert; the Yery Rev. Dr. Bugler,
P.P., V.G., Birr ; the Yery Rev. Dr. Gargan, Y.P. & Y.G., St.

Patrick's College, Majnaooth ; the Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
University College, Stephen's- green ; Very Rev. Pius Devine,
Mount Argus. I have borrowed much, as the volume itself
will tell at the proper place, from the " Spicilegium " of his
Eminence Cardinal Moran. I also thank the subscribers who
have aided me in bearing the expenses of publication.

J. Canon Monahan, D.D.

Feast of St. Augustink,
2Sth August, 1886.

RECOKDS.

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Some writers have erroneously stated that St. Mel was the
founder of the See of Ardagh. This See was founded by St.
Patrick, and its first Bishop was St. Mel. Colgan A. S. S. p.
261, c. 9. col. 2, writes : " For he (St. Patrick) left Mcel* in
Ardachadh, to the east, and his sister in Druuincheus, to the
west of the mountain called Bri-leith, lying between both
places." And in chapter 10 it is stated: "that St. Patrick
regenerated Mann, the Lord of South Teffia, in Longford, in
the laver of baptism, and afterwards built a church in a place
called Ardachadh, which, to this very day, is the See of Ardagh,
and consecrated his sister's son, Melus, Bishop of it ; with
whom he left Milchuo, Co-Bishop. Milchuo was brother to
St. Melus. Mann is the progenitor of the people of Tefiia."

The Cathedral of Ardagh is justly reckoned amongst the
most ancient churches in Ireland. It was founded in 454. An
illustrious champion and preacher of the Gospel was placed over
it. His name Mel, or Melus, suggests those honeyed stores of
divine wisdom and celestial virtues which had been laid up in
his mind. He was not only Bishop, but also Abbot of this
church. For as Ware remarks, " in the infancy of Christianity
in Ireland the bishoprics and abbeys were frequently blended
together, and such ecclesiastics as were consecrated bishops often
resided both as abbots and bishops. Under the first title they
governed their monks, and, as bishops, they had the country
about the monastery under their care, to ordain priests, and
execute other parts of the episcopal functions."

The " Trias Thaum.," p. 227, contains the following remark-
able statement : " St. Mel, the son of Darerca, sister of St.
Patrick, who was the mother of seventeen bishops, one of whom
was St. Mel, Bishop of Ardachadh in Teffia^ Again, the same
authority contains the following statement : " The virtuous sons
of Darerca are found seventeen foreign bishops and two daugh-
ters, viz. : Achea, who raised the dead and cured the lepers ; and
Lalloca, of Lenlios behind Mount Bradgna." This high authority
does not tell us that Mother, in the previous sentence, is to be

* Maol, in Irish, signifies the man of the large tonsure.

2

2 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

understood as spiritual mother ; we may understand it in
that sense. St. Mel is the patron Saint of the Diocese of
Ardagh. The ruins of his church are still to be seen near
the village of Ardagh, which lies about five miles south-
east of the town of Longford. The style is nearly Cyclopean,
the greater number of the stones being almost eight feet long.
The doorway is perfect, but remarkably low. The church itself
was never large. Not far from these ruins now stands a
beautiful and graceful Gothic church, erected by the present
distinguished pastor. Very Rev. Canon Reynolds, P.P., V.F.
The great qualities of head and heart, which made him so re-
markable in his classes at Maynooth, and afterwards as President
of St. Mel's College, are to some extent illustrated in this
beautiful church. It is a source of deep regret to the many
admirers of his great talents and other endearing qualities that
the heavy labours inseparable from the erection of so large and
costly a church have impaired his once powerful and robust
constitution. SS. Rioch and Munis, the travelling companions
and co-labourers of St. Patrick, are said to have been brothers
of St. Mel. Our annalists also state that St. Mel received the
gift of prophecy. This was exemplified in St. Bridget's case.
He foretold the greatness and sanctity of that holy virgin before
her birth. Some time after her birth he administered to her the
sacrament of Confirmation ; and afterwards gave the reli-
gious veil to that youthful spouse of Christ. A great intimacy
thus arose between SS. Bridget and Mel, which lasted as long
as his life. St. Mel wrote the Acts of St. Patrick, his maternal
imcle, who survived him. Ware relates that fact in the follow-
ing words : " St. Mel, the nephew of St. Patrick by his sister
Darerca, first bishop of the church of Ardagh, wrote a book on
the virtues and miracles of St. Patrick, who was then living.
St. Mel died at Ardagh in the year 488, or, according to the
Annals of Ulster, 487, ic/iere he {i.e. his bones) rests."

The following question will be interesting to those who
have studied this matter.

Who performed the ceremony of Bridget's religious profes-
sion, and where did it take place ? On this question there is a con-
troversy which has excited a good deal of attention. I cannot
pretend to close this dispiite amongst learned writers by showing,
beyond all doubt, who it was that professed her and where the
religious ceremony was gone through. I shall, however, endea-
vour to prove by sufficiently satisfactory evidence (if not wholly
conclusive) that St. Mel performed the ceremony of her religious
profession, and in his church at Ardagh. Before advancing the
proofs that will, I hope, establish this conclusion, I shall state
the opposite opinions, which maj^ be thus summarised :

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH. 3

Some hold (and they are chiefly Anglo- Scottish writers) that
St. Bridget of Kildare was veiled by St. Macchilla, Bishop of
Sodor, in the Isle of Man, about the year 443. Few now sub-
scribe to that opinion, which is erroneously founded on the
affinity of the names Macchilla and Maccalle, who were distinct
persons. The latter, as we shall hereafter see, had a hand in
the religious profession of Bridget, whilst the former was not
a bishop at all, nor even baptised, most probably, at the time
she was clothed in the religious habit.

A second class of writers, and they are more numerous and
important, contends that Bishop Maccalle, whose church was on
or about Croghan Hill, King's Co., performed the religious
profession, either there or on the hill of Usney between Castle-
town and Ballymore, in the Co. Westmeath. This opinion is not
so devoid of foundation as the former ; but it seems to me to be
incorrect, and to have derived its probability from the fact that
Maccaille assisted St. Mel, at Ardagh, in performing the reli-
gious ceremony.

A third class of writers holds that St. Mel professed St.
Bridget. Their arguments appear to me conclusive, although
Dr. Lanigan considered this opinion too absurd to need refutation.
Before formulating their views I shall give their names, viz :
Ultan,* in his " Vita S. Brigidae," Ware, by Harris, vol iii., b. i.,
c. 3. p. 12. ; andColgan in his " Trias Thaum.," 3rd life, S. B.,
c. 18. In support of this opinion, I am happj^ to be able to cite
Eugene O'Curry and Professor B. O'Looney, whose scholarship,
on questions like the present, is beyond controversy. The follow-
ing is an extract from Eugene O'Curry's translation of the life of
St. Bridget, to be found in the Catholic University collection
of his MSS., now preserved at Clonliffe College, '* Dubthach
said to his daughter, ' My daughter,' said he, ' take a veil upon
your head if you have dedicated your virginity to God, i shall
not deprive him of it.' Bridget now being anxious to have the
order of penance conferred upon her she went to Bri Ut'lef and
seven veiled women with her, having heard that Bishop Moel
was there. And when they had arrived there, the Bishop was
not there, but had gone into the countr}" of the Hi IVeill. She
went, therefore, on the next day, and Mac Caille leading the

* Ultan of Avd-Breccain collected the account of her virtues and miracles,
and commanded his disciple, Brogan, to piit them in poetry.

t Bri-Eile, i.e , the Hill of Croghan, in O'Conor Faly's country. This hill is
celebrated by Spenser in his "Fairy Queen." Colgan and Lanigan have
asserted that Cruachau Bri-Eile, on which St. Mac Caille erected a church, in
the sixth century, was on the confines of Leinster and Munster ; but O'Donovan
has proved, in a letter written at Tullamore, January the ith, 183S, now pre-
served at the Ordnance Survey Office, Phcenix Park, that it is the Hill of
Croghan, which is on the confines of ancient Meath and Leinster, and on which
a small portion of the ruins of Mac Caille's church is still visible.

4 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

way before her, over Moin Fathnigh..* Bridget caused tlie bog
to ibecome a flowery plain to them. When they came near to
the place in which Bishop Moel was, Bridget requested Mac
Caille to put a veil upon her head, in order that she should not
come without a veil into the presence of the clerics, and
probably it is this veiling that is commemorated on this day.
When she had come now a column of fire ascended from her
head to the ridge of the church. When now Bishop Moel saw
this, he asked who the veiled women were. Mac Caille said,
' This is the illustrious veiled woman of Leinster, viz. : Bridget.
' My Welcome unto her,' said Bishop Moel ; ' it was I that
prophesied of her in her mother's womb, and it is I that shall
confer orders upon her.' ' What have the veiled women come
for ? ' said Bishop Moel. ' To have the order of penance con-
ferred on Bridget,' said Mac Caille. Then orders were read
over Bridget, and it was the orders of Bishop that Bishop Moel
conferred upon her. And then Mac Caille put the veil upon
Bridget's head. And from that time hither Bridget's successor
is entitled to have Bishop's ordersf conferred upon her. And
whilst he was reading the order upon her Bridget was
holding the leg of the altar in her hand, and although four
churches were burned, and that leg in them, yet it was not
burned." See aCurn/s MSS. Life, Translation, j). 28, 29, 30,
31. Brussel's Collection.

In Professor O'Looney's Irish Manuscript Life, it is ex-
pressly stated, that St. Bridget went to take the veil from Bishop
Moel, pp. 17, 18. "Corae," said Moel, "until a veil is blessed
upon thy head," &c., &c. The same learned professor translated
for me the sentences in the Life of St. Bridget, to be found in
the " Leabhar Brae," edited, collated, and annotated by himself ;
bearing upon this point, and gave it as his opinion that thej
decidedly prove the religious profession of St. Bridget was
performed by St. Moel.J From the foregoing extracts, it ap-
pears certain that the religious ceremony, on the occasion of St.
Bridget's profession, was performed by St. Moel, who had con-
firmed her. " It was he that conferred orders, i.e., sacramentalia,
sacramentals, as distinguished from the sacraments, upon her." It
is true that Mac Caille put a veil upon her head ininiediatehj before
she came into the presence of the clerics ; but that veiling does

* Bougna Bog. There is now no bog bearing that name in the territory of
OSa\y.—0' Donovan, F. M.

t A dignity attaching to her office, corresponding to the dignity belonging
to the office of Bishop. Abbesses, even still, carry a baculus, somewhat like a
Bishop's crozier.

X The learned Dr. Joyce examined the passages in the " Leabhar Brae "
relating to this point, and gave it as his opinion to the compiler that Bishop
Mel professed St. Brigid.

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH. O

not appear to have been a religious ceremony, and when
Mac Caille put the veil upon Bridget's head the second time, he
acted only the part of an assistant to St. Moel, who was engaged,
as principal, in jDerforming the religious ceremony. In fact, the
whole context clearly shows that St. Moel "professed" St.
Bridget, and it was for this Mac Caille and she and the other
virgins made so long a journey over the bog. Canon 0 Hanlon re-
marks, in his " Life of St. Bridget," p. 61, that it is to be regretted
we have not on record the exact name of the church in which
St. Bridget made her religious profession ; for it is stated in the
Trias, " while the saint made her vows to Heaven she touched a
wooden support on which its altar rested." Cogitosus says " in
his time this wood was still green as if it had not been cut down
and barked, but had yet remained attached to its roots and
growing." Now Lynch, in his MSS. " History of the Episcopal
Succession," seems to convey that miracle took place in St. Moel's
Church at Ardagh. The following are his words, f). 245 : —
S. Melchuo, S. Meli frater, individuus itinerum comes Yirtutum
ardens imitator et in Ardachadensi episcopatu Successor et a
Diva Brigida sicut frater ejus cultus fuit nfpote quo virginitatis
velum ei confe rente aridum arce supjjeda neuni ah eel tactum illico
mruit et floruit, corticem etiam induens, ad omnis generis
morbos pluribus excutiendus plurimum prof uit quod Laurentius
Baronius Ordinis Minorum Theologus Sequent! versu expressit
scilicet

" Annoso Saliunt sua germina trimco
Et veiiit in tumidam verna Juventa tabem."

From this, it manifestly follows that St. Moel gave the veil to
St. Bridget, and in his own church of Ardagh, where the miracle,
already alluded to, appears to have taken place. Moreover,
O'Curry in his MSS. Translation, already quoted, states that Mac
Caille and Bridget followed St. Moel into the country of the O'Neill,
which was called Teffia. Teffia was formerly a very extensive
country in Meath, comprehending five baronies in Westmeath,
and extending into Longford. " There was North and South
Teffia in Longford, the former belonged to Carbry, the sou of King
Neill and his posterity, and was called Carbria Guara ; the
latter belonged to Mann and his posterity (Mann was son of King
Neill), and was divided from Tefiia in Westmeath by the river
Inny. St. Patrick regenerated this Mann in the laver of
Baptism, and built a church in a place called Ardagh, and con-
secrated his sister's son, Moel, bishop of it, with wh-om he left
Melchuo Co-Bishop." — 0' Donovan, F. M. This extract strongly
confirms the previous arguments ; for it is admitted that
Mac Caille and Bridget followed St. Moel into the country of

6 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

the O'Neill. iSTow, St. Moel and liis clerics resided at Ardagh,
in the territory of Mann, the son of King Niall of the Nine
Hostages, and it may, therefore, be fairly deduced that St. Moel
performed the religious profession of Bridget in his own church
at Ardagh. I have reserved the strongest argument for last,
namely, the Bollandists hold that St. Mel professed St. Bridget
in his own church at Ardagh. The Eight Eev. Dr. Woodlock
has written lessons, proj^ria nianu, for the I'east of St. Mel,
which were approved at Rome, and this opinion is adopted in
these lessons as the correct one.*

THE CATHEDRAL AND COLLEaE OF ARDAGH.

Longford being of late years the chief town in the Diocese
of Ardagh, the magnificent new Cathedral of St. Mel was com-
menced there by Bishop O'Higgins, more than forty years ago.
It was completed, nearly as it now stands, by the late Bishop
Kilduff. Previously to their episcopate, Athlone and Bally-
mahon had been alternately the chief seat of the bishop of this
diocese. Dr. Brady, for instance, resided chiefly in Athlone,
whilst Doctors Magauran and O'Higgins resided at Bally-
mahon, where both were interred. The remains of Dr.
O'Higgins were afterwards removed to the vaults of the
Cathedral at Longford, and fittingly so ; as it was he who had
conceived its design and laid its foundation stone. He
did not live to witness the erection of its walls, except in
part; but having projected the great work and seen it
partly built, he was called to his reward. To him a great
successor arose, who fully realized the conception of his pre-
decessor. Dr. Kilduff not only lived to witness its completion
almost as it now is, but also laid the foundation stone of the
College of St. Mel. Having concentrated his mind and heart
from the beginning of his episcopal career upon these two great
works, he took up his residence at Longford, soon after his
consecration, where he uninterruptedly lived until his premature
death. The beautiful high altar, now standing in this Cathedral,
was erected as a memorial to commemorate his zeal and virtues.
The late Bishop, Dr. Conroy, contributed somewhat to complete

* I took these Lessons from the Bollandists ; and before sending them to
Rome had them revised by one of the present Bollandists, Fr. de Genet, S.J.

i5« B. WOODLOCK,

Bisho}-» of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise.

CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGE OF ARDAGH. /

the interior, and the present Bishop, Dr. AVoodlock, has made
still larger improvements and contemplates the erection of a
magnificent portico, which is a part of the original design.
Canon O'Hanlon, on the occasion of a visit in June, 1876, to
Longford, wrote the following description of St. Mel's : — " The
fine cathedral, dedicated to St. Mel, at Longford, is one of the
largest and handsomest ecclesiastical structures in Ireland. It
is built of the finest grey marble limestone, which on the exterior
is cut and carefully dressed, from the foundation to the project-
ing course that crowns the walls. Ont stone mouldings enclose
the windows exteriorly, and these are covered with moulded
pediments. Six pillars are intended to support a grand pedi-
ment in front, but this portion has yet to be erected. The style
throughout is of the Italian composite order. The ground plan
includes a nave, connecting two side aisles by a double range
of eleven arches, divided on either hand, resting on twelve grey
marble columns of great height, yet symmetrical and solid. The
columns are capped by chiselled capitals, under the turning of
the arches. A transept extends across the upper end of the
nave and side aisles. A grand high altar, of exquisitely white^
polished Carrara marble — of elaborate and congruent design
with the style of building— is in the centre, and opposite to the
great entrance by the nave. At the end of the right side aisle
there is a side altar of our Holy Eedeemer, and at the end of
the left side aisle there is one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.
Transverse columns and arches are in the transepts. Four
circular-headed windows light either eide aisle, and they
alternate with circular, canopied niches, all -^ith fine mouldings
interiorly. Five such niches fill up the circular apse, behind
the front altar. A circular-headed window between similarly
designed niches, ornaments either end of the transept. Twenty
eight angels, wrought in a highly artistic manner, rise im-
mediately over the capitals of all the nave columns. The coved
roof of the ceiling is wrought very tastefully in plaster, while
a highly ornamental cornice runs over the whole circuit of nave
and apse in the same elaborate style. High in the coved
ceiling, over the three large entrance vestibules, is the fine-toned
organ of the choir. Two fine columns, with three connecting
arches, support the organ loft and choir. The vestibules, in.
front, lead to the nave and aisles. A moulded cornice runs
immediately under the window sills all through the cathedral.
Twelve clerestory and circular-headed lights are over their
respective colonade arches on either side of the nave. The
bishop's throne is on the Gospel side, within the sanctuary ;
while the pulpit rises against the third circular column on the
epistle side of the nave. Basso-relievo flat columns are placed

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

along the walls of the transepts, of the side aisles, and of the
apse. The campanile, surmounted with a dome and terminated
by an elaborate gilt cross, is an object of great architectural
beauty. On an octagonal base, rising over the roof, are three
projecting mouldings, each sustaining a highly ornate compart-
ment of the campanile. Carved columns sustain the cornices."

The venerated Bishop of Ardagh, Dr. Woodlock, has done
much to beautify the interior of St. Mel's Cathedral. I shall
reserve his special works in this direction for the Chapter at the
end of this book, in which his biographical sketch will be given.

The names of the presidents of St. Mel's College will also be
given under the chapter relating to the founder — the Right
Eev. Dr. KildufP.

BOUNDARIES OF ARDAGH DIOCESE.

The See of Ardagh originally comprised the country of the
eastern Conmaicne. It consisted of the territory of the
O'Ferrals and O'Quins, in the Co. Longford, commonly called
Annally — the diocesan boundaries being originally co-terminus
with the territories of the chieftains. It also included the
territory of Muintir Eolais, i.e., of Mac Rannall (O'Reynolds),
in the County of Leitrim. These two families were descended
from Conmac,* son of Fergus Mac Roy, the dethroned King of
Ulster, by Queen Meave or Maud of Connaught, in the first
century. Ardagh is sometimes called by ancient writers Con-
maicne. There are, however, several districts of this name in
Connaught, the inhabitants of which were called Conmaicne,
or the descendants of Conmac, one of the sons of Queen Maud.
But Conmaicne, which is synonymous with Ardagh, is designated
Conmaicne of Moyrein, in Brefney, O'Rourke's country, which,
according to O'Flaherty, extended into the Co. Longford. Under
the year a.d. 1475 F. M. it is stated, that Fenagh, in the barony
of Leitrim and Co. Leitrim, lay in Moyrein, and by some autho-
rities, Conmaicne of Moj^rein and Muintir Eoluis were considered
identical. The MacRannalls (O'Reynolds) were the principal
chiefs of Muintir Eoluis, which territory comprised the southern,
part of the Co. Leitrim, and extended from Slieve-an-Iarain and
Lough Allen to Slieve Carbry west of Balona in the County
Longford, and contained the castles of Rinn, Lough Scur, and
Leitrim, and the monasteries of Fenagh, Mohill and Cloon.
Under the year 1562 F.M. it is stated, that the power of O'Rourke
extended from Caladh, in the territory of Hy -Maine, in the

* All of this Conmac's posterity were styled kings until their submission to
the Crown of England.

BOUNDARIES OF ARDAGH DIOCESE. 9

County Roscommon, to Drobhaois, or Droos, on the borders of
Leitrim, Donegal, and Sligo, and from Granard, in Teffia, Co.
Longford, to the Strand of Eohuile, in the Barony of Tireragh
and County of Sligo, near Ballysodare. and it may, therefore, be
inferred that Comaicne of Moyrein extended from Killanummery
and Killerry, on the north-western side, to Granard, on the south-
eastern. It is stated, however, under the year 1172, F. M., that
Donal O'Ferrall, of the Annally family, was chief of Conmaicne,
or that portion of Longford adjoining the County Leitrim. It
does appear certain that the boundaries of Ardagh were fixed
according to the limits of the territories subject to these two
chieftains. At the Synod of Rath Breasail, held about the year
1118, and presided over by Gillebert, Bishop of Limerick, and
then Apostolical Legate in Ireland, for the purpose of defining
the limits of the various dioceses, it was declared, the Diocese
of Ardagh extends from Ardcarna to Slieve-an-Ierin, and from
Ceis-Coran to Urchoiltin. This is clearly the north-western
boundary of Ardagh, for Urchoiltin borders on Dromohair, and
Ceis-Coran is in the neighbourhood of Ballysodare, Co. Sligo.

As regards the parishes of Kilronan and Killanumery and
Killerry different accounts, founded on tradition, are given, as
to the manner in which they came under the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of Ardagh. It is, for instance, commonly enough asserted
that the parish of Kilronan, in the Co. Roscommon, belonged to the
Diocese of Elphin until Monsignor Mac Dermot Roe its Parish
Priest was appointed Bishop of Ardagh. Such, however, was
not the case. It was a part of Ardagh for centuries before, as
the following extract from Lynch's MSS. History of the Ep.
Succession," wiU clearly show : " Ardacha habet pareecias in aliis
comitatibus praeter Longfordiam ut v. gr. in Roscoraanige Comi-
tatu, parseciam amplam de Kilronan in regione de Tiretuahail,
quam olim Muintireadam e Clanaruariiorum stirpe orti inhabi-
tabant. In Sligoensi quoque Comitatu mediam parochiam de
Killaraidh et mediam parochiam de Killanumuire habet quia
Clanarurii erant olim eorum locorum Domini."

At the present time the Diocese of Ardagh includes nearly
all Longford, the greater part of Leitrim, and portions of King's
County, Westmeath, Roscommon, Cavan, and Sligo. About
the year 1107 the Diocese of Feara-Midhe was divided into two
equal parts between the Bishops of Clonmacnoise and Clonard.
This partition was made at the Synod of TJisneach, when the
country from Cloghan-an-imrim, westwards, was given to the
Bishop of Clonmacnoise, and from the same Cloghan, eastwards,
to the Bishop of Clonard by Murchad O'Melaghlin and Eochaidh
Ua Ceallaigh, &c. See Cronicum Scotorum, a.d. 1107.

St. Melchuo succeeded St. Mel. Ware has written : "St.

10 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Melchuo brother to St. Mel, by the same father and mother, was
the next bishop of this See. He followed his uncle, St. Patrick,
out of Britain into Ireland, before the year 454, and was an
unwearied companion of his labours and zealous imitator of his
virtues, as Colgan tells us ' Act. Sanct.' p. 263, No. 29. The
same distinguished writer adds that St. Patrick placed him over
the Church of Ardagh after the death of his brother, St. Mel.
There are but very slender accounts remaining of his successors
in this See until the arrival of the English under King Henry
II." Lynch, in his MSS. " History of the Episcopal Succession
in Ardagh," gives substantially the same account of St. Mel's
immediate successor. He adds, however, that a holy and close
intimacy existed between St. Bridgid of Kildare and St. Melchuo
just as there did between her and his brother. The words of
Lynch are : " Et a Diva Brigida sicut frater ejus cultus fuit
utpote quo virginitatis velum ei conferente aridum arae, etc.,
as already given on page 5

Lynch, in his MSS. History, and "Ware by Harris, and
Archdall, and indeed all other writers on the episcopal succes-
sion in this See, observe that the record of St. Mel's successors
has been, at different intervals, broken or lost. Thus the next
successor given by our Annallists is Beochail, whose death is
recorded in the year 741, F. M. After his death an interval or
interruption again occurs in the record of succession in this
diocese as Lynch and other writers already named observe.

St. Erard succeeded to the administration of this diocese
about the year 754. He was postulated by the unanimous
voice of the clergy and people on account of his varied and
profound learning and remarkable virtues. The words of
Lynch are, MSS. : " lit qui corporis integritatem fastus fluxa-
rumque opum contemptum, morum innocentiam, et sacrarum
litterarum studia, quoad, vixit nnice coluit, S. Erardus illi sedi
administrandae clero et populo unanimiter urgente admotus est."

Regarding this great and hoi}'- bishop. Ware has written as
follows : " St. Erard, a native of Ireland and Bishop of Ardagh,
together with his brothers, St. Albert and St. Hidulph, and
nineteen other associates, forsook his country about the middle
of the eighth century and travelled into Germany, where he was
indefatigable in the propagation of the Christian faith. He
died at Ratisbon, on the eighth of January, and was buried there
in a convent of nuns. But I find no account in what particular
year this happened. Some centuries after, viz., in the year
1052, he was canonized by Pope Leo IX. This account is taken
out of the Breviary of Ratisbon ; but I do not find any mention
made of him in the Annals of Ireland."

Lynch in his MSS. History gives substanti.'dlj^ the same

BOUNDARIES OF ARDAGH DIOCESE. 11

narrative regarding St. Erard, with this important difference,
viz., that he, after several years of most fruitful and edifying
govei-nment in the Diocese of Ardagh, set out, accompanied by
his two brothers and the nineteen other associates, already
referred to, to visit the tombs of the Apostles.

Having arrived at Home, the Supreme Pontiff requested him
to go to Germany and there preach the Gospel. This is a
NOTABLE OMISSION in "Ware's biographical sketch of our Saint.
Ware adds, " the first whom we find to have written the life of
Erard was one Paul, a monk, in the eleventh century." The
second who wrote it was Conrad, of Montpelier, in France about,
the beginning of the fourteenth century. To these may be added
the several accounts given of him in the ancient and modern
Breviaries of Augsburg, Eatisbon, and Wurzburg, which
chiefly follow one or other of these authors. But some learned
German writers have put this matter in a plainer light ; and,
although they have not cleared up all the difficulties, j'et have
said enough to give us grounds for a probable opinion on
the matters in dispute, which are chiefly these : 1st. The
country of St. Erard. 2ndly. Of what See he was bishop. 3rdly.
In what age he flourished. 1st. It is almost universalh' ad-
mitted that he was a native of Ireland. Geneve Scofits, in Scotia
natus, is the usual phrase among the leai-ned writers regarding
the country of Erard. Scotia was then synonymous with Ireland.
The Bollandists gather together the opinions of the several
learned writers on this subject and give as the most pro-
bable opinion *' that he was a Scot of Ireland." Aventin
was the first who started a contrarj^ opinion ; but being a
man of no fame for veracity, had but few followers.
There is, however, a difficulty arising from the expres-
sions of some of these writers. Paul, for example. Paul,
above mentioned, observes " he was Narbonensis Gentili-
tate, Nervius Civilitate, Genere Scoticus." From whence
one may be induced to judge that he was born at jSTarbon, in
Gaul, of Irish parents, and educated among the JN'ervii, a people
of Belgic Gaul. His brother, Hydulph, is said by an ancient
M^riter of his Life which the Bollandists have published, to be,
!Niverniorum ortus genere, and in another life, ISTerviorum ortus
genere. But, it must be observed, that when foreigners meet
with our uncouth Irish names they are often under difficulties
to express them in proper Latin words. On this account
Aventin and his followers have been misled. We must not,
therefore, seek after Narbon, in Gaul, as the place of our
Bishop's birth. Some of the German Legends point out that
place in our own country — Narbonoe in Scotia natus, two of
them expressly say. Narbon, therefore, or rather, Harbone,

12 DlUCESE OF ARDAGH.

as it is most truly written, must be sought for in Ireland.
There is in the county of Tyrone, on the west of Lough Neagh,
a village called Hardboe, or as others, leaving out the aspirate,
have written it, Ardboe, formerly famous for a monastery of St.
Colman, surnamed Mucaidh, whose festival is celebrated there
on the 21st February. It was destroyed by fire in 1166, since
which time it has continued but a sorry village. Richardson
mentions it (p. 66) in his account of pilgrimages I am
fully convinced that this was the place of Erard's birth.
Possibly he was educated among the Nervii, of Belgic Gaul,
which would account for Paul's expression, viz. : — that he was
Nervii Civilitate. A second difficulty remains, viz., his
brother Hydulph is called Niverniorum ortus genere. But the
Bollandists admit that IS'iverniorum is, most probably, an error
crept into the manuscript for Hiverniorum, or Hibernorum ;
and this opinion settles all.

2ndly. The next difficulty which occurs, is of what See he
was Bishop. Some make him Bishop of Freising, some of
Treves, and others of Patisbon, which is controverted by
Hundius, Paderus, and other German writers. But the most
probable and general opinion, is that he was Bishop of Ardagh,
in Ireland, before he travelled into Germany. So says the
Patisbon Breviary, and that he governed it in sanctity for
many years; with which Hundius, Paderus, and Brunerus,
above named, agree. Now, it is hard to conceive that so many
German writers (whose diligence and industry in searching into
the ancient monuments of their country is unquestionable), should
conspire to reject this ornament of their country, if truth alone
had not directed them to this conclusion. Yet, possibly, he
might have governed the See of Patisbon, after his arrival
in Germany.

Hrdly. As to the age in which he flourished. Here, also,
there are two opinions supported by authorities so repugnant to
each other, that it is hard to reconcile them. The first is, that
he flourished about the middle, or before the end of the seventh
century. The second, that he came into Germany in the time of
King Pepin, or Charlemagne his son, and, consequently, after
the middle of the eighth century. It would lead me too far to
discuss the reasons given for both these opinions. John Colgan
has treated this subject with great judgment and exactness ; and
has proved by very cogent reasons and strong authorities drawn
from the best of the German writers, that St. Erard flourished
in Germany between the year 730 and 754. To the latter
year Baronius inclines. Colgan has proved the eighth of
January to be the day of his festival. I must refer the reader
to him and hasten on to other matters.

BOUNDARIES OF ARDAGH DIOCESE. 13

Lynch, in his MSS- History, observes that St. Erard was
Bishop of the City of Ratisbon, died in the year 754, and was
buried in a convent of nuns. He adds that this saint performed
several miracles, before and after his death, upon the blind, the
deaf, the lame, and persons suffering from other bodily in-
firmities, and that he was canonized by Pope Leo IX., and his
festival placed on the eighth of January.

The words of Lynch MSS. are, " Tamen sub annum 754,
Katisbonae cujus urbis episcopus erat, mortuus, in caenobio
Monialium inhumatus est miraculis ab eo post et ante mortem,
in caecitatis, surditatis, claudicationis et aliarum aegritudinum
sanitate editis, tantam ei sancitatis opinionem conciliantibus, ut
eum Leo IX. in sanctorum numerum retulerit et 8 Januarii
diem ei colendo, assignaverit."

The chain of succession is again here broken. Our Annallists
make no mention of a Bishop of Ardagh until 872, when they
record the death of Faelghus Episcopus Ardaghedensis.

The thread of succession is again broken ; for the Annal-
lists have no record of his successor until the year 1048, when
the death of Ceili, Bishop of Ardagh, is mentioned.

Here again the chain of succession is broken, for there is no
record of another Bishop of Ardagh until Macreit O'Moran
flourished. He is said to have been Bishop of Kilmore as well as
Ardagh. Bishop O'Moran lived to the advanced age of 83.
He assisted at the Synod of Kells, held in the year 1152, and in
the catalogue thereof is called Bishop of Conmacne, i. e.,
Ardagh. He died in 1168.

To him succeeded Christian O'Hetai O'Heroic, in 1172.
Hovenden mentions this prelate under that year. The Annal-
lists record his death at the year 1178.

O'Kirlenan or O'Tirlenan succeeded. He died in 1187.

O'Hislenan succeeded. He died in 1189. It is said he
was slain. The Annallists do not mention the supposed cause
nor the circumstances in which this event took place.

Adam O'Murredai succeeded. He is reckoned among the
benefactors to the Abbey of Tristernagh.

For besides the confirmation of several churches in the
Diocese of Ardagh, he granted to them the tithes of Tyrclogher
and Clomellan, Rathowen and Ardglass, saving his episcopal
customs. O'Muredy died in 1217.

To him succeed Robert, whom the Annallists call an English-
man. He was a Cistercian monk, and the eleventh Abbot of
St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin. He granted and confirmed the
tithes to the Abbey of Tristernagh, the Church of Leeue, saving
his episcopal rights, as Richard de la Corne, Bishop of Meath,
also did. The Annals of St. Mary's Abbey give him the title of

14 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

a man of holy conversation. He died in 1224, having reigned
seven years.

Simon M'Grath succeeded in 1224. He is called in the
Annals of Ulster, MacRaith MacSeerai, and was celebrated for
the probity of his manners. The Annallists add, he was a man
of as much virtue and devotion as any in Leth-Cuin. He
died in 1230.

Joseph Magoday succeeded in the same year. Before his
election he was Archdeacon of Ardagh, and immediately after it
set out for Eome, where his election received the Pope's
confirmation, and he was consecrated. On his home journey
he died at Florence, in 1231.

Jocelain O'Tormaig succeeded in 1233. Some of our
Annallists call him O'Tormay, Bishop of Conmacna, i.e.,
Ardagh. He died in 1237.

Brenden Magoday succeeded in 1238. He confirmed the
tithes to the Abbey of Tristernagh, the Churches of Kynkill,
Glyn, Rathascop, and Rathowen, which lay in his diocese,
saving his episcopal rights of visitation, proxies, &c., and he
discharged that abbey of the maintenance of a vicar at
Rathaspoc, i.e., Rathaspic. He reigned for seventeen years,
and died in 1255, and was buried in the Abbey of the Canons
of St. Peter, at Derg. He granted at the Feast of Pentecost,
1251, thirty days' indulgence to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary,
in the Temple, at London.

Milo, of Dunstable, succeeded in 1256. He was so called
from a town of that name in Bedfordshire, where it seems he
was born. Having been elected Bishop of Ardagh, he obtained
the required confirmation on the 20th of May, 1256. He
governed this See about thirty- three years. He died in
1289.

Matthew O'Heothy succeeded in 1290. Before his consecra-
tion he was a Canon of Ardagh. He governed this See for
thirty-two years, and died in 1322.

Alexander was elected his successor, but there is no record
of the year in which he took possession, nor do the Annallists
mention the year of his death.

John Mageoi succeeded in 1331, and died in 1343. This
See was vacant for three years after his death.

Owen O'Ferral succeeded. Before his election he was Arch-
deacon of Ardagh. About the close of the year 1343 he was
canonically elected by the Dean and Chapter, but for some
reasons not recorded, his consecration did not take place before
the year 1347. The Annallists say this Prelate was much
celebrated for the integrity of his life. He governed this See
for twenty years, and died in 1367.

BOUNDARIES OF ARDAGH DIOCESE. 15

William M'Cawsee or MacCasac,* succeeded in 13G7.
Before his election he was a secular priest. This prelate died
of a, fall from his horse in 1373, but it is not stated that his
death was immediate. In August, the same year, great discords
arose conceraing the election of a successor. For Charles
O'Farrel was elected by one part of the Chapter, while another
part made choice of Richard O'Ferral, Dean of Ardagh ; and a
third adhered to John Aubry, a Dominican Friar of Trim.
The supporters, however, of Charles O'Ferral triumphed over
their opponents ; for he was consecrated Bishop of Ardagh in
1373. The Annallists say he was a man remarkable for
learning, piety and charity to the poor. He died in 1378.

Henry Nony. March 25. Henricus Honii, Ord. Praed., was
promoted to Ardagh, " vac. per obitum bonse memoriae Caroli
(O'Ferrall) extra Romanam Curiam def uncti." — Bullarium Ord.
Prffid.

1396. Gilbert MacBrady succeeded. Ware.

1400. February 15. Adam Leyns, or Lyns, or Lexid,
Ord. Praed. He was promoted to Ardagh, " vac. per obitum
Grilberti, extra Romanam Curiam defuncti." — Bullarium Ord.
Prsed. Leyns died in June, 1416.

1418. February 17. Cornelius O'Ferrall, Ord. Praed.
"Die 13 Kal. Martii, 1818, provisum est ecclesiae Ardechaden.
in Hibernia, vacanti per mortem, de persona Cornelii, Decani,
electi, confirmati." Vatican. On the 9th of December, 1418,
" B. P. D. Cornelius, electus Ardacadensis," by means of his
proctor, Matthew de Caructiis, a Florentine merchant, paid at
Mantua, "pro totali solutione sui com. servitii, 16 florenos auri
de Camera, et 33 solidos, et 4 denarios. Item pro totali solu-
tione unius min. servitii, 43 solidos et 10 denarios." Obli-
gazioni. Cornelius O'Ferrall died in 1424, and was buried at
Longford, in the convent of his Order.

1425. January 11. Richard O'Ferral. "Die 3"" Idus
Januarii, 1425, provisum est ecc-a^ Ardakaden, in Provin.
Armachana in Hibernia, vac. per mortem Cornelii, de persona
Ricii als. Richardi, Abbatis Mon"- B. Mariae de Granardo, Ord.
Cisterc, dioc. Ardechada, cum dispensatione opportuna et neces-
saria." Vatican, "Richardus, electus Ardakaden, personaliter
obligavit," for payment of tax on promotion, 33j florenos, on
the 25th of May, 1425. Obligazioni. Richard O'Ferral died
in 1443. Ware.

1445. Cormack. " Die Februarii, 1445. Ven. vir. D.
Tkyus, decanus de druvmlean., Triburnen, dioc , et Henricus

William M'Cormac, according to some.

16 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Kyng, Canoiiicus Corkagen, in Ybernia, ut principales et pri-
yatae personse, ac vice et nomine E. P. D. Cormaci, electi
Episcopi Ardakaden, in Ybernia, obtulerunt Cam. et Coll. etc.
pro com. servitio, florenos aiiri de Camera 33 et unum tertium."
Obligazioni. According to Ware, the name of the bishop wbo
succeeded in 1445 was " Magsambradban." Perhaps Magsam-
radham was the surname of Cormac, who seems to have been
sitting in 1470. Magsamradhan was the surname. — Lynchy
MSS. History.

To him succeeded Donald O'Ferrall. — Lynch, MSS. History.

14 — ? William OTerral succeeded. He appears in the
provision of his successor. Ware says he was sitting, 1486.

It is beyond doubt that this prelate governed Ardagh in the
beginning of the sixteenth century. He was not only Bishop,
but also Dynast, of Annally, having retained the hereditary
chieftancy of his family. His Brief of appointment is dated,,
according to Theiner, 1479, and Ardagh is described as having
become vacant through the death of John. He was Abbot of
the Cistercian Monastery of St. Mary's, Lerha, now known by
the more modern name of Granard, before he was called to rule
over the See of St. Mel. He is said to have been remarkable
for his learning, piety, and every virtue that should adorn the
episcopal character. The succession in Ardagh during the six-
teenth century is surrounded with much obscurity and confusion.
Ware states that Dr. OTarrell resigned his See about the be-
ginning of this century, and that Thomas O'Congalan and one
Owen succeeded, and governed it between 1500 and 1510. Dr.
OTarrell must have, therefore, resigned long before his death,
which took place in 1516. Some writers aflB.rm that he governed
Ardagh until his death, and Thomas O'Congal was Bishop of
Achonry, and that the mistake arose from the Latin word
Achadensis, which was erroneously taken to mean Ardagha-
densis. But it is to be observed that not only Ware, but also
Lynch, in his MSS. History, sets down Thomas O'Congalan as
the immediate successor of Dr. William OTarrell. Nor does it
seem improbable that the Bishop resigned his See before his-
death, when we consider that he was for several years engaged
in war and strife with his neighbours. He insisted upon his
rights as Chief-Dynast of Annally, but some of his own clans-
men refused to recognize them. He assembled his forces,
assailed and reduced to absolute ruin his opponents, together
with the remnant of the little city of Ardagh. The cathedral
shared in the general destruction, so that only the walls re-
mained and one altar, canopied by the azure vault of heaven.
There were only four houses remaining in the city, all built of
wood, and scarcely any inhabitants, owing to the long con-

BOUNDARIES OF ARBAGH DIOCESE. 17

tinuance of family feuds between the O'Farrell claas. There
was neither sacristy, nor belfry, nor bell. The yestments and
altar ornaments are described as hardly sufficient for Mass,
which \\'as rarely offered ujd, there being only one priest in the
entire district. Under such circumstances, it does not seem
improbable that Dr. William O'Farrell resigned the See before
his death.

Eoderick 0'3Ialone, a Canon of the Cathedral at Clonmac-
noise, succeeded. He is described as " honestis parentibus natus
setatis annorum fere XL., sanus mente et corpore, ac bonae con-
yersationis et famae, in jure canonico bene instructus et litteratus,
ac in sacerdotii ordine constitutus et ad ipsius Ecclesiee regimen
et gubernationem aptus et idoneus." Theiner, p. 521. It
appears that King Henry YIII. addressed a letter to Pope Leo
X. recommending the appointment of Dr. O'Malone to the See
of Ardagh; the letter is dated Greenwich, 26th July, 1517,
and the following is an accurate copy :

" Sanctissimo Clementissiraoque Domino nostro Papae.
Beatissime Pater, post humillimam commendationem et devotis-
sima pedum beatorum oscula. Espositum nobis f uit Cathedralem
Ecclesiam Ardakadensem perexigui census ac proventus in
dominio nostro Hibernise per obitum Eeverendissimi in Christo
patris, Domino Wilhelmi ejus novissimi Episcopi, imprsesentia
vacare suoque pastore esse destitutam, et cogitantibus tum nobis
ei providere propositus f nit venerabilis vir Magister Pogerius
O'Moleyn, Cathedralis Ecclesise Cluanensis canonicus, vir
modestus, circumspectione, probitate et doctrina non mediocriter
probatus, quern et nos idoneum esistiraavimus cui dictse Ecclesiae
Ardakadensis cura committatur eique praeficiatur. Quo circa
Yestrae Sanctitati eum commendamus ut eundem Magistrum
Pogerium praedictse Ecclesiae praeficere ac Episcopum et Pasto-
rem constituere dignetur, quod et honori atque utilitati ejusdem
Ecclesiae f uturum putamus et nobis erit admodum gratum : et
felicissime Yaleat Yestra Beatitudo. Quam Deus Altissimus
longEevam conservat," etc. This is a begging sort of letter,
and, although the petitioner was the king, they took' a long time
at Rome to grant the object of his request ; for more than a year
elapsed before Dr. O'Malone was appointed Bishop, and the
Pope's sanction was not given until the sworn evidence of three
independent Irish witnesses regarding the fitness of Eoderick
O'Malone was placed- before His Holiness. Moreover, Dr.
O'Malone resided in Rome before his appointment to the See
of Ardagh, and his merits were therefore known to the Car-
dinal charged with the Consistorial inquiry. It can scarcely
be inferred that the king's recommendation expedited his
appointment. It seems rather to have delayed it. At length,

3

18 DIOCESE or ARDAGH.

however, the Holy See proclaimed him Bishop of Ardagh, in a
Consistory, held on the 4th December, 1518. He was permitted
to retain his former canonry and benefice at Clonmacnoise on
account of the poverty of the Diocese of Ardagh. He died
about the year 1540. Ware here sets down Richard Ferrall and
Lisach Ferrall as his successors. But in that he erred ; for the
former, although at one time Abbot of Granard, was only an
usurper, and the latter was schismatical, having obtained his
appointment from Elizabeth. However, being djniasts of
Annally they caused much confusion, disorder, and loss of lay
as well as ecclesiastical property in Ardagh.

The illustrious family of the O'Ferralls of Annally gave not
only to the ecclesiastical but also to the military profession
many distingushed and brave members.* They were the chief
patrons of religion in the territory of their ancient sept, and
during the troubled period of the Confederation some of them
rendered noble services to the Catholic religion, both in the
senate and in the camp. In the worst and most trying days
of our sad history some of this noble house hesitated not to
ascend the scaffold and give the strongest proof in a man's
power to give of his attachment to the Faith of our Fathers

THE O'FAERELL MARTYRS.

The Rev. Fathers Laurence O'Farrell and Bernard
O'Farrell, O.P.

These two appear to have been brothers, and were of the
ancient family of O'Farrell. Of Father Laurence, Dominick de
Rosario remarks, that he was educated at Lisbon, and was sub-
sequently Prior of their college there. De Burgo says that
Father Bernard was Predicator Generalis of the Order. De
Burgo and Fontana give the following account of their
martyrdom : —

" They were seized at early morn, whilst praying in the
church of their native convent, Longford, which had been
abandoned by the brethren on account of the violence of the
persecution. Father Bernard was at once overwhelmed by the
persecutors with more than four and twenty deadly woimds,

* In the memorable but disastrous battle given by Bishop MacMahon, in
1650, to Coote and Venables, not far from Letterkenny, Lieutenant-General
OTerrall, as well as Henry O'Neill, fought with singular bravery, but were
obliged to sound a retreat before sunset. Among the killed on the side of the
Irish were eighteen Captains of the O'Ferrall family. Lieutenant-General
O' Ferrall escaped.

THE o'fARRELL MARTYRS. 19

whereof he expired ; yet lingered long enough to receive the
last Sacraments from another of our Fathers before he died ;
and this he himself had foretold. Brother Laurence they
dragged, wounded, before the Governor, and on discovering
that for the faith, and in obedience to the authority of the
Nuncio, he had joined the Catholic army, he was condemned
to death. He was to have been executed on the following day,
and joyfully awaited his fate, but by the intercession of some
friends it was deferred for three days. This was most grievous
to Laurence, who blamed his intercessors and spent the whole
three days in prayers and tears, beseeching God not to suffer
him to lose the palm of martyrdom. At length he obtained
his desire, and from the top of the ladder he addressed an
eloquent exhortation to the Catholics ; then placing the rosary
round his neck, and holding a crucifix in his right hand, and
bidding the people farewell, he blessed them, and meekly
folding his hands under the Scapular submitted himself to the
executioner. When the executioner, after placing the cord
round his throat, pushed him off the ladder ; whilst hanging
he drew both his hands from under his Scapular and raised
the cross on high in both as the emblem of his triumph. The
heretical governor was so much struck that he allowed his body
to be given to the Catholics and solemnly interred by them,
and gave a safe conduct for the clergy to attend, fearing lest
otherwise there might be tumults."

Rev. Laurence OTarrell, O.P.

He was an alumnus of the Convent of Longford, and studied
at Prague, in Bohemia, but read his philosophy in Rome with
the Irish Dominicans, in the Convent of SS. Sixtus and Clement,
and theology with the English Dominicans, in the House of
SS. John and Paul. He thence proceeded to England, and,
whilst discharging the duties of an apostolic missionary, was
seized and confined in a most strict prison in London, where he
suffered much, for more than a year. At length, by the favour
of God, he was set free, and proceeded to Belgium, where he
patiently bore a long illness. He returned to England, and
was again imprisoned, but was sent as a German into Portugal
with the Archduke Charles, afterwards Emperor of the Romans.
From thence he took an opportunity of going to Spain, where
he piously died, serving as a chaplain to Berwick's regiment, in
1708.

The following account of their death is given in the Rinuc-
cini MS. :—

"They both belonged to the illustrious house of the O'Feralls,

20 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and were alike eldest sons, born to hereditary estates and wealth.
They were, moreover, alike in that they were masters in Sacred
Theology and famed as preachers of the truths of religion.
They had held honourable posts in the convents of the Order at
Longford, Roscommon, Derry, and elsewhere, and throughout
the whole period of the Confederate War had proved themselves
staunch champions of the Faith. Alike revered by the clergy
and people, their names had been presented as most worthy to
be promoted to the episcopal rank, and, in common with their
devoted sept, they resolved either to preserve intact and incor-
rupt the Faith handed down to them for twelve hundred years,
or to die gloriously in its defence. Animated with such senti-
ments, when arrested in the habit of the Order, they could not
be induced by threats or promises to embrace the tenets of
heresy. Wherefore they were cruelly treated as defenders of
Popery, spies of the Roman Pontiff, enemies of the Protestant
Church, and the heretics shouted out, ' Away with these cham-
pions and leaders of the Papists ; kill them, hang them.' Father
Bernard, struck with swords and spears, was on the spot pierced
with eighteen mortal wounds, and was left for dead, being
almost suffocated by his own blood. Life remained, however,
till the last Sacraments were administered to him, and then the
crown of martyrdom was added to that of the doctorate, which,
a little while before, had been deservedly awarded him by
Father Marinus, the General of the Dominican Order. Father
Laurence O'Ferall was made prisoner without receiving any
wounds, and being thrown into prison, he was ordered to be
hanged on the following Wednesday. Led to the scaffold, he
displayed the greatest courage and joy ; but, at the request of
some English noblemen and others, who came to the unwonted
spectacle, a respite till the following Saturday was granted.
When this announcement was made to him, nothing could
exceed his grief, to the astonishment of all who were present ;
and when they asked why he thus sorrowed, he replied, because
I feel myself at present so well disposed to meet death for God
and for ithe Catholic Faith, that I fear I never again may be
equally prepared for so happy a death. In the meantime,
several English Protestants petitioned and made great efforts
to have his life spared. All was in vain. On the following
Saturday he was led to the scaffold. From the steps he ad-
dressed a most earnest exhortation to those present, so moving,
that all shed tears, and some were converted to the Faith. His
discourse being ended, he was hanged, and thus attained the
martyr's crown."

THE "o'fKRUALl" SEPT, PRINCES OF ANNALY. 21

The Rev. Anthony O'Farkell, O.S.F.,

was taken, whilst preacliing, by the Cromwellians, at Tulsk, in
Roscommon, in the castle of Sir Ulysses de Burgo, and imme-
diately hung, a.d. 1652. Bruodin.

The Rev. Christopher OTarrell

died in prison, about 1664, for the defence of the authority of
the Pope. Whilst in prison, he was obliged to lie on the bare
earth, the luxury of a bed being denied him.

THE "O'FERRALL" SEPT, PRINCES OF ANNALY.

This illustrious family is of Milesian origin ; descended from
Milesius, who was King of Galicia, Andalusia, Murcia, Castile,
and Portugal, and who is known as Milesius of Spain. The
Milesians came into this country several centuries before the
birth of Christ. The three sons of Milesius who left any issue
were Heber, Ir, and Heremon. From Ir descended FergusMor,
who (by Meave, or Mab, Queen of Connaught) was the father of
three sons, named respectively Conmac, Ciar, and Core : from
Ciar are descended the O'Connors of Kerry, who were kings,
Ar/ri Kerriensis (the O'Connors of Connaught being descended
from Heremon) ; from Core, the O'Connors of Corcomroe, and
the O'Loughlins of Burren, both territories being situate in
the County of Clare ; and from the eldest son, Conmac, the
O'Farrells, Kings of Conmacne (this word signifying " the pos-
terity of Conmac "), which contained all that territory which
we now call the County of Longford, a large portion of the
Counties of Leitrim, Sligo, and Galway, and that part of the
County of Westmeath anciently called Ciiircneach, but more
lately " Dillon's Country."

From Angall, a direct lineal descendant of Conmac, that
part of Conmacne now known as the County of Longford, and
Ctiircneac/i, in Westmeath, was called " Upper Annaly ; " and
the adjacent part of the County of Leitrim was called " Lower
Annaly ; " and his posterity, after they lost the title of Kings
of Conmacne, which his ancestors enjoyed, were, upon their
submission to the Crown of England, styled Princes or Lords of
both Annalies until a recent period.

Third in descent from Angall was Feargal {a quo "O'Ferrall"],
who was King of Conmacne, and was slain fighting on the side
of Brian Boru, at the Battle of Clontarf, A.D. 1014.

About that time the O'Farrells conquered Cairbre the Incre-
dulous (upon whom, for his incredulity, the malediction of St.

22 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

Patrick swiftly descended), and dispossessed the O'Kearys,
whose tribe name was Hy- Cairhri ; and they changed the name
" Hy-Cairbri " to " Annaly " — their own tribe name.

In 1183, Auliffe, or Awly O'Farrell assumed the lordship of
Annaly ; the English and Aimadh O'Rourke having previously,
in 1172, slain Donall O'Farrell, the chieftain of that territory.

Tradition says that O'Farrell had seven castles in Annaly,
which bore the following names : 1. Mornin, in the parish of
Taghsheenod ; 2. Ardandra, in Agharra ; 3. Cammagh ; 4.
Castlereagh, in Moydoe ; 5. Moat Farrell, in Clonbroney (it
is said that there is a hollow or cave in this moat into which,
in time of danger, the O'Farrels used to escape from their
enemies) ; 6. Bawn, in Killoe ; 7. Ballinclare, in Ballymac-
cormick ; but it is highly probable that he had more than
seven castles.

It is believed that the military barracks in the town of
Longford occupy the site of the O'Farrell's ancient fortified
residence, which in Irish was named Longport- Ui-Fhearghail,
meaning the " Fortress of O'Farrell ; " and which gave its
name to the town and county of Longford.

LIOS-AED-ABHLA.

This is a most important seat of the O'Farrells, lying about
seven miles from the town of Longford and five from Granard.
It is Anglicised Liss-ard-owler ; but in an inquisition taken in
the reign of James I. it is anglicised Lyserdowley ; and in one
taken in the reign of Charles I. it is more correctly made Liss-
ard-owla — a name which perfectly agrees with the Lios-ard-
abhla, or Fort of the height. The Annals F. M. state, A.D.
1377, " The castle of Lios-ard-abhla* was erected by John
O'Farrell. Lord of Annaly."

1383. "John, the son of Donnell O'Farrell, Lord of
Annaly, died at Liss-ard-abhla, and was interred in the monas-
tery of Abbeylara." 1461. Mac Cabe Henry, the son of
Gilchrist, went into Annaly with O'Farrell, where he died of
a short fit of sickness at Lios-ard-awla. His body was con-
veyed to Cavan (to be interred there) attended by two hundred
and eighty Gallowglasses, armed with battleaxes." Mac Cabe,
who was of Danish origin, was constable of the Gallowglasses
of Briefny, where the family is still very numerous. There
is nothing of the old remains now to be seen at Lissard but a
moat and rampart. The people say that there was a castle
there belonging to O'Farrell. At the present time, E. O'Farrell,

* The fort of the high apple-place or orchard. Abhla, in the Celtic lan-
guage, signifies orchard.

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 23

Esq , J.P., D.L., resides there in a magnificent mansion.
Hospitable, kind, courageous, princely and truly Catholic, he
is a noble representative of the O'Ferrall chieftains.

1541. November 14, Patrick Mac Mahon succeeded. "Die
14° Nov., 1541, referente R. D. Card^^ Gambara, S.D.N, providit
ecclesiae Ardachaden. in Hibernia, vacanti per obitum Ronci
(sic) olim Episcopi Ardachaden., extra Romanam Curiam de-
functi, de persona Patritii Machman (Mac Mahon) ordinis
fratrum minorum professoris, in presbyteratus ordine constitute
Absolvens, etc." — Barberini and Vatican.

Sir James "Ware placed the succession of Dr. Mac Mahon in
1553, when Richard Ferral died. This Richard Ferral had
restitution of temporalities in July, 1541, but was not conse-
crated until after the 22nd of April, 1542, on which day George
Cromer, Archbishop of Armagh, issued a Commission to any
three Catholic bishops of Ireland to consecrate him. This
appointment of Ferral was ignored at Rome ; and on Queen
Mary's accession Mac Mahon was restored to temporalities.
There is extant, in the London State Paper Ofiice, a bull of
Pope Pius V. for deprivation of Patrick Mac Mahon (Patritius
Magmathgamma) for simony, non-residence, leaving his cathe-
dral in ruins, &c. The bull is dated from St. Peter's, Rome,
January 26, 1568. (State Papers, Elizabeth, p. 362). This
bull, or rather brief, may have been a forgery, or obtained by
fraud. In Strype's " Life of Parker," edition of 1711, appen-
dix No. Ixxxviii., is printed a letter from " Malachias quondam
Ardachaden, Episcopus Hibernus," to the Privy Council. In
this letter, which is dated " Ex Marseolsey, 28 Februarii, 1572,"
the " quondam " bishop Malachy confesses to have been once
in papistical superstition, but " ex ignorantia potius quam
malitia." He promises loyalty and obedience, especially in
matters of religion, to the Queen and her Deputy in Ireland.
Malachy, however, has no place in either the Papal or the Protes-
tant succession.

The death of Patrick Mac Mahon is placed in the year 1572,
probably because Queen Elizabeth, writing from Windsor, on
the 5th November, 1572, gave directions for the appointment
of Garvey, the Dean of Christ Church, " to the bishopric of
Ardagh, at present void." — King's Letters, Record Office, Dublin.
But Garvey was not appointed. On the 13th of June, 1576,
Sidney wrote from Dublin a letter to "Walsingham, recommend-
ing John Pettit, clerk, for the See of Ardagh, vacant by the
death of Patrick Mac Mahon, and asking for him also the par-
sonage of Pierstown, in commendam. — (State Papers, Irish MSS.,
Rolls Office, London.) But this appointment, like that of
Garvey, never was carried out. Ardagh was without a Protes-

24 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

tant bishop for twenty-five years from the date of Elizabeth's
accession

It is likely from Sidney's letter in 1576, as well as from the
following provision, that Mac Mahon died in 1575 : —

1576. January 23, Eichard Brady. "Die 23^ Januarii,
1576, referente Card. Alciato, S. D. IS", providit ecclesise Arda-
caden, in regno Hibernise, vacanti per obitum Patritii de per-
sona fratris Riehardi (Brady), ord. S. Franeisci. Ipsumque
etc. Et cum decreto emittendi profess fidei antequam poss"^^"^
adipiscatur. Et cum solito decreto quod non possit exercere
pont^* in aliis ecclesiis etiam de consensu Episcopormn alias
etc, sit suspensus. Et fuit facta gratia." — Barberini and
Vatican. See Appendix.

Brady is said by Ware to have come from Rome with Papal
Bulls, instigating the Irish Catholics to rebel against the English
Government, but this statement is incorrect, for Richard Brady
never left Ireland. He was translated to Kilmore on the 9th
of March, 1580.

1581. September 11, Edmund Mac Gauran. "Die 11^
Sept., 1581, referente Senonen. providit ecc. Ardachaden, in
Hib. vac, per trans. R. P. D. Richardi ad ecc. Kilmoren., de
persona Edmundi Macsaruraghan, ipsumque etc." — Barberini.
He had been " praeconized " in the Consistory of September 2,
1581.

Dr. Mac Guaran was promoted to Armagh in 1587. He
died a martyr.

From 1587 to 1647 this See was governed by Yicars or
Administrators.

John Gaiiney, who was made Yicar-General of Ardagh, in
1597, was appointed Yicar- Apostolic, March 11th, 1621, but his
Brief was not expedited until January 14th, 1622.

The following is a copy of the Brief of Pope Gregory XY. : —

Brief of Pope Gregory XY., appointing Rev. John Gaffxey,
Yicar Apostolic of Ardagh, January 14, 1622.

(From the Secreten'a Brevium, Rome.)

[" Rev. John Gaffney was appointed Yicar-General of the
Diocese of Ardagh, in the year 1597. Being specially com-
mended to the Holy See, for his zeal and untiring devotedness
in ministering to the spiritual wants of the faithful, he was
appointed Yicar Apostolic, on the 11th March, 1621 ; but the
Brief of his appointment was not expedited till the 14th of
January, the following year. In 1634, he wrote to Rome,

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 25

petitioning to be relieved from tlie burden tlius imposed on
him, stating, as his motive for this request, that he was now
weighed down with years, and " had governed the Diocese for
thirty-seven years, as Vicar-General and Apostolic."]

Dilecto Filio Joanni Gauneo, Presbytero Hiberno in Civitate et
Disecesi Ardachaten. Yicario Apostolico.

Gregorius Papa XY.

Dilecte Fili, salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ecclesia
Pomana foecunda mater filiorum quae quos per Evangelium,
genuit alit instituit et propriis admotis uberibus modo lac modo
cibum subministrans omnes Deo lucrifacere intendit, in Civitate
et Diaecesi Ardachatensi Pastoris solatio destitutis propius
intuens eorundem populorum saluti non minus quam propria)
invigilat : quapropter ne grex ille sine capite dispersus aberrans
luporum f aucibus penitus exponatur de tua fide, prudentia atque
experientia plurimum in Dno. confidentes, te in Civitate et Dise-
cesi Ardachaten — in spiritualibus et generalibus Yicarium Gene-
ralem et ofiicialem ac nostrum et Sedis Apostolicae Commissarium
ad nostrum et dictae Sedis beneplacitum auctoritate Aposto-
lica tenore pra^sentium facimus constituimus et deputamus,
Dantes tibi plenam et liberam facultatem et potestatem quod
ea quae sunt jurisdictionis non autem ordinis qua) Epus.
Ardachatensis si adesset tarn ex consuetudine quam de jure
communi ac etiam ex decretis Concilii Tridentini in utroque
foro habere et exercere posset necnon cum speciali facultate
omnes et quoscumque haereticos et schism aticos in Ecclesiae
gremium revertentes absolvendi ac cum eis de f ructibus quovis
modo per eos male perceptis locis et usibus pi is applicandis
componendi, illosque si tibi videbitur in totum vel in partem
condonandi, Ecclesias et qusecumque loca pia quam celerrime
et debita cum diligentia juxta sacrorum Canonum et Concilii
Tridentini dispositionem visitandi et reformandi, synodum
celebrandi, curata et non curata beneficia servata forma juris ac
dicti concilii conf erendi, ccemeteria, oratoria capellas et Ecclesias
quascumque poUutas reconciliandi paramenta et ornamenta,
omnia Ecclesiastica ad usum Ecclesiarum totius Dioecesis neces-
saria, non tamen vasa ubi sacra unctio adhibetur, bendicendi
et consecrandi, dimissorias et commendatitias litteras ad omnes
etiam Sacros et Presbyteratus ordines concedendi, etc., etc., cum
facultate et substituendi tibi in casu necessitatis alium Yicarium
cum simili vel limitata potestate, quem Yicarium Nos cum eadem
potestate ex nunc constituimus.

Datum Eomae apud S. Petrum, die 14 Jan. 1622.

26 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

On the 5tli Oct., 1637, the Emperor Ferdinand wrote from
Ratisbon to the Pope, recommending for the vacant See of
Ardagh, Francis Ferrall, a Franciscan of the stricter observ-
ance, who had been a Professor in Prague. — Moran's Spicele-
gium, page 227.

The following is a copy of the letter : —

Letter of the Emperor Ferdinand to the Pope, recommending
Fr. Francis Ferral, for the See of Ardagh, 5th Oct.,
1637.

Bme. in Xto Pater, etc.

Post officiosissimam, etc.

Hibernia Insula, quae in Oceano sic circumlatrantibus falso-
rum dogmatum monstris hinc inde cincta, divini tamen luminis
adspirante aura, verae atq. orthodoxae Religionis cultum utcumq.
conservat, eo peritiores vigilantioresq. Sacrorum Antistites pos-
tulat, quo propinquior tabes praesentius minatur intentatq.
periculum. Cum itaq. nobis complurium, quos ob singularem
fidem, atq. observantiam in nos suam, peculari gratise ac digna-
tionis nrae.

Caesareae favore prosequimur, luculenta praedicatione laudatus
sit Doctus, devotus, nobis dilectus, Fr. Franciscus Ferral, Hiber-
nus fam. franciscanae strictioris obs. Peligiosus cum ab antiqui
et praecipui in Hibernia generis claritudine, turn a castigatae
vitae, morunq, probitate, tum ab exacta rerum divinarum, alia-
rumq. liberalium disciplinarum cognitione, ac scientia : quippe
quas non solum in diversis sui instituti Monasteriis, sed in
nostra quoque Bohemias Metropoli Prague in Collegio Cardina-
litio vulgari cum omnium doctorum applausu, et admiratione
publico docuerit, et doceat, eaq. dederit ubique indegritatis,
prudentiae, ac virtutis specimina, ut ad vacantem Eptum.
Ardaghaden tertium jam communibus et cleri et populi votis
postulatus sit. Idcirco Nos eo, quo rem catholicam auctam, et
laboranti in Hibernia religioni catholicae consultum inprimis
cupimus, studio eumdem, Sanctitati VraB. meliorem in modum
commendatum lubentes suscepimus : ab eadem, pro solita nos-
tra filiali observantia, ac fiducia reverenter, atq. obnixe petentes,
uti memoratum Religiosum fr. Franciscum Ferral suprad™-
Eptum.

Ardachadem. vel praeclararum ejus virtutum et ab ejus
loci Clero et populo toties postulationis intuitu, vel nostras
etiam commendationis hujus suffragio promovere benigne velit
factura non solum rem Nobis gratam, sed rei quoq. Xnae.
confidimus, utilem ac fructuosam. Caeterum summam preca-

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 27

mur divinitatem, ut Sanctitatem Vram. Ecclise. Suoe dutissime
superstitet, sospitet, fortunet.

Datum Eatisbonae, 5 Oct. 1637.

It does not appear, however, that he was appointed to the
vacant See ; or, that if he was, he ever took possession of it.

Cornelius GafPney was the next Vicar, as the following
documents shall prove. During his time a Provincial Synod
of Armagh was held, on the 8th October, 1660, in the Parish
of Killoe, Clunilih, County Longford, at which he was Secre-
tary.

7. Decrees of the Provincial Synod of Armagh,
8th October, 1660.

(From the Rinuccini MSS.)

Ad Dei Omnipotentis gloriam et Ecclesige Catholicae
exaltationem.

Acta, Statuta et Decreta, facta et Ordinata in Concilio Pro-
vinciali Ardraachano, habito et celebrato apud Clunilih in
parochia de KiUeo Dioecesis Ardaghadensis praefatae Ardraa-
chanae provincise, die 8° mensis Octobris, S. Brigittae yiduae
sacro, praesidente Illustrissimo D. Edmundo Archiepiscopo
Ai'dmachano et totius Hiberniae Primate; praesentibus etiam
Heverendissimo Midensi ; procuratore Reverendissimi Kilmo-
rensis ; Rev. admodum D. Philippo MacCrolly Clogherensis
Dioecesis Vicario Apostolico Sac. Theologiae et Juris utriusque
Doctore ; procuratore Yicarii Apostolici Clonmacnosiensis ;
procuratore Yicarii Apostolici Derensis ; Yicario Generali
Ardaghadensi ; Yicario Generali Dunensi et duobus Yicariis
Generalibus Conerensibus ; Yicario Generali Rapotensi ; Yicario
Generali Diocesis Dromorensis; Abbate Ardmachano Canoni-
corum Regularium ; Abbate S. Maria) de Asseruaigh Ord. Cis-
tertiensis ; Abbate Monasterii de Deserto Canonico Regulari ;
Abbate S. Mariae de Kinlis ; Priore de Tristerna Canonicorum
Regularium ; Priore S. Patricii Canonicorum Regularium ;
Decano Ecclesiae Ardaghadensis ; Priore de Duvennis Oanoni-
corumRegularium ; Procuratore Decani Derensis ; Procuratore
Decani Kilmorensis ; Decano Rapotensi ; Procuratore Abbatis
de Clunes Can. Regularium ; Archidiacono Kilmorensi ; Procu-
ratore Archidiacono Kilmorensi ; Procuratore Archidiaconi

28 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Cloglierensis ; Priore Colideorum Ecclesiae Cathedralis Ardama-
clianae ; Procuratore Fratrum Minorum S. Francisci ; cum multis
Theologis ssecularibus et Kegularibus ad id vocatis et aliquibus
etiam aliis ea reliquis provinciis,

Primo post Litanias omnium Sanctorimi Sacrum Concio-
nem, et invocationem Spiritus Sancti, lecto liymiio Yeni Creator
fSpiritus, declarandura esse duximus sicut per praesentes declara
mus, protestamur et notum facimus, nos niliil aliud in liac
nostra couventione meditari, velle aut intendere, quam Dei
Omnipotentis gloriam, Peligionis Catholicae exaltationem anima-
rum salutem, Regis et Regni tranquillitatem securitatem et
pacem, reddentes ea quae sunt Caesaris Caesari, et quae sunt Dei
Deo.

1°. Statuimus ergo, sancimus et ordinamus, ut singuli Paro-
clii catechizent, exhortentur aut concionentur ad populum
singulis diebus Dominicis et festis solemnioribus sub poena
quinque solidorum monetae Anglicanae in pios usus per Ordina-
ries respective convertendorum, toties quoties in hoc pastores
respective deliquerint ; quod si ad decern septimanas continuas
in hoc quisquam negligens fuerit eo ipso beneficio privatus
existat.

2". Statuimus et ordinamus ut omnes qui olent de Janse-
nismo aut quomodolibet olere reperientur, aut de haeresi alia
quacumque a sede Apostolica damnata eo ipso sint inhabiles et
incapaces cujuscumque praelaturae, dignitatis et beneficii etiam
minimi, in hac nostra provincia Ardmachana : proinde ne (quod
Deus avertat et nos formidamus) in ovina pelle subintrent in
Dominicum gregem multifaria haeresi jamdudum agitatam lupi
rapaces, supplicamus humillime eaque qua decet submissione
sedi Apostolicae, rogantes quatenus nullus in posterum promo-
veatur ad dignitates aut beneficia quascumque in hac provincia
sine commendatione Illustrissimi D. Primatis, et Ordinarii ejus
jurisdictionisin qua talis promo tio expectabitur.

3°. Statuimus et ordinamus ad confusiones et superstitiones,
quae forte subrepere possunt, praeveniendas et in postermn evi-
tandas, ut nulli omnino liceat circumire cum crucibus, baculis,
23edis, campanulis, nolis, scuttellis, tintinnabulis, catenis, cin-
gulis, lapijiulis, cum Baculo Sancti Patricii, velo S. Brigidae,
Evangelus S. Columbae, aut similibus aut tales Reliquias vel
quasi Reliquias populo exponere, sub poena excommunicationis,
sine speciali licentia et approbatione Ordinariorum respective ;
similiter sub iisdem poenis statuimus ut nulli utantur orationibus
(vulgo Orrha), insulHationibus aut similibus quae superstitionem
sapere possunt, sed iis tantum orationibus et caeremoniis quae
sunt ab Ecclesia approbatae : item statuimus et ordinamus ut
nullus omnino sacerdos sive saecularis sive res^ularis, utatur alia

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 29

forma, benedictione, caeremoniis aut verbis, quam ifsquse com-
muniter habentur in fine Missalis Romani ad benedicendam-
aqiiam, sub poena pr^efata.

4". Cum audiamus aliquos de utroque clero in provincia
Dubliniensi diebus Dominicis et festivis ter eodem die celebrare,
et subinde bis diebus ferialibus, ne mallum illud et inusitata
praxis in nostram provinciam serpat, statuimus et ordinamus
quod nullus in nostra jurisdictione audeat aut prsesumat cele-
brare ultra secundum sacrum diebus Dominicis et festivis ; et
hoc ipsum indulgemus tantum curam animarum habentibus,
idqiie urgente necessitate ; in ferialibus autem nullus prtesumat
secundem sacrum celebrare sub poena suspensionis.

5°. Statuimus et ordinamus quod qui prtBtextu Missionis
inventi fuerint sine superiorum suorum licentia, admissione et
approbatione Ordinariorum vagari, corrigantur juxta jus com-
mune, sive ssecularis sive regularis sint ab Ordinariis locorum
respective.

6°. Statuimus et ordinamus ut nullus audeat in imjDedi-
mentis matrimonii dispensare virtute cujuscumque indulti aut
privilegii sine eo quod prius approbetur ejus authoritas aut
facultas ab Ordinario loci et in hoc statute includimus etiam
Regulares, sub poena suspensionis ad libitum Ordinarii ; deinde
prsecipimus ut nullus Parochus recipiat bujusmodi dispensa-
tiones a Regularibus etiam societatis Jesu, sine Ordinarii licentia
sub poena suspensionis.

7°. Ad abusus in posterum tollendos et compescendos, statui-
mus et ordinamus et quicumque sive ssecularis sive regularis
fuerit, qui pro beneficio aut officio obtinendo aut retinendo aut
pro se vindicando de suo superiore aut competitiore recurrat ad
brachium sasculare quodcumque sive Catholicum sive ha^reti-
cum sit praeter notam infamiae eo ipso incurrendae sit ipso facto
inbabilis et incapax ejus beneficii aut officii pro quo taliter
recurrerit : laicus etiam se immiscens buic casui sit excommuni-
catus.

8". Statuimus et ordinamus ut singuli Ordinarii in suis
respective Dioecesibus eligant immediate post reditum ad pro-
pria examinatores et raagistros caeremoniarum juxta mentem
Concilii Tridentini. sine quorum magistrorum aut Ordinarii
respective approbatione in scriptis obtenta nullus ex noviter
ordinatis aut in posterum ordinandis accedere praesumant ad
Missae celebrationem sub poena Interdicti ad sex menses.

9°. Statuimus et ordinamus ut furtum excedens valorem
quinque solidorum monetae Anglicanao sit casus reservatus
respective Ordinariis locorum ; cum f uribus numeramus f autores
receptores, concilium dantes, et furtive ablata scienter ab eis
ementes.

30 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

10^. Statiiimus et ordinamus quod onmes sacerdotes saeculares
qui ex liac nostra provincia fugenint aut proscripti fuerunt,
exceptis iis qui actualiter incumbunt studiis, redeat in patriam
infra quinque menses ab barum notitia, aKoquin contra boc
statutuni peceans sit incapax beneficii aut officii obtenti aut
obtinendi intra nostram prorinciam.

11^. Statuimus et ordinamus ut sit uniformitas jejunii in tota
provincia, quod liceat vesci lacticiniis omnibus feriis sextis totius
anni, etiam Quadragesimae in una refectione, dicendo quinque
Pater Xoster et Ave pro statu Ecclesiae toties quoties, vel
solvendo imum solidum monetae Anglicanae semel in anno in
usum Seminariorum : excipimus tamen ab boc priyilegio feriam
sextam Parasceves, wcut et ferias quartas Cinerum et Mojoris
Hebdomadae : inter laclicinia adnumeramus caseum. Declara-
mus etiam quod ex -vigiliis Beatae Mariae Yirginis, sola ea
obligat quae est Assumptionis, ad jejunium et abstinentiam.

12'. Statuimus et ordinamus ut si quis repertus fuerit aliquid
moliri, macbinari, aut verbis aut factis attentare contra Sere-
nissimum Eegem nostrum Carolimi, et de eo convictus fuerit,
ab officio et beneficio suspendatur per Ordinarium ; necnon ipso
facto excommunicatus et inbabilis ad quascumque functiones
intra banc provinciam obeundas censeatur.

13~. Statuimus et ordinamus ut SS. Concilimn Tridentinura
in Dioecesibus Midensi, Cluanmacnosiensi et in Comitatu
Lovidiae, ea reverentia admittatur qua receptum est ante annos
octoginta in reliquis Dioecesibus provinciae Ardmacbanae, sicut
per praesentes illud SS. Concilium, quoad totum et ejus partes,
admittimus, amplectimur, veneramur, et accipimus de assensu
et consensu totius Concilii nostri et ipsius etiam Episcopi et
cleri Midensis et Procuratoris Yicarii Apostolici Cluanmacno-
siensis et ejusdem Decani.

14". Statuimus et ordinamus quod nullus parochus seu sacerdos
saecularis sub poena excommunicationis exigat ullum quaestum
nisi quater in anno in quibus de consuetudine solent fieri obla-
tiones pecuniariae.

15"^. Statuimus et ordinamus quod non libatur aqua composita,
seu Brande\'ine, sub dio in contractibus matrimonialibus sub
poena Excommunicationis ; et sub ejusdem poena inbibemus
ut in exequiis defimctorum non adducantur aut admittantur
tibicines, non ducantur cboreae aut tripudia non fiant idlae
compotationes nisi peracta sepultura, sub eadem poena. Roga-
mus item et praecipimus quod omnes Ecclesiastici strenue
laborent in impediendis clamoribus et ululatibus quae propbano
modo adbuc in usu stmt in sepulturis.

16". Statuimus quod nullus Parocbus exigat aquam vitae aut
alium liquorem in administratione sacramentorum.

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 31

17". Statuimus et ordinamus, strlcteque mandamus ut, juxta
mentem Concilii Tridentinis fiant Bannae sive tres denunciationes
antequam procedatur ad matrimonium contraliendum sub poena
decem solidorum a parochis per modum mulctae solvendorum in
manus Ordinarii in piosusus convertendorum, toties quoties in
eo genere peccaverint : admittimus item et recipimus omnes
regulas Cancellariae a Summis Pontificibus approbates et prae-
sertim de annuali et triennali possessione.

18^. Ad Bursas fundandas pro juventute bujus Provinciae
in virtutibus et litteris educanda in CoUegiis ultramarinis,
statuimus et ordinamus ut singuli Parocbi contribuant ad
ralorem at quotam quartae partis annualis proxis, seu subsidii
cbaritativi Ordinario solvendi ; et casu quod dicti Parochi sint
tardi aut refractarii in solutione dictae quotae sit penes Ordi-
narios cogere ipsos ad solutionem dictae summae, etiam per
censuras si opus sit. In ordine autem ad dictas Bursas promo-
vendas promisit lUustrissimus Ardmacbanus quicquid acquiret
excensu S. Patricii, communiter cios Padrig, et tres libras
Anglicanas ultra dictum censum annuatim ; Midensis tres
libras ; Kilmorensis tres ; Vicarius Apostolicus Clogberensis
tres ; Vicarius Apostolicus Derensis tres ; Clonmacnosiensis
duas ; Dunensis et Connorensis duas ; Dromorensis unam ;
Ardagbadensisunam; D. Daly, Vicarius Generalis Ardmacbanus
unam ; D. Desse, Vicarius Medensis unam ; Rapotensis unam.

19.° Statuimus denique, sancimus, et mandamus locorum
Ordinariis respective sub poena suspensionis, et Parocbis etiam
sub poena excommunicationis latae sententiae, quod infra unum
mensem a receptione borum, acta bujus nostri Concilii publicent
et publicari faciant in suis respective destrictibus : rogamus
etiam Superiores Ordinum religiosorum ut idem faciant in suis
oratoriis et congregationibus ; et sic ad majorem Dei gloriam,
Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, et S. Patricii patroni nostri, et
aliorum nostrorum patronorum, Synodum dimissam declaramus
et popterea cuique eundum esse ad proprias Ecclesias.

Hortamur autem omnes vos, fratres carissimi, ut tales vos
praebeatis in ministerio vestro quales maxime decet Sacerdotes
ab omni rerum mundanarum cura segregates, illudque maxime,
cum redieritis, praestandimi erit ut populus vos ab bac Synodo
non mediocrera fructum reportasse intelligat ; id fiet si novo
Spiritus Sancti illumine illustrati, quae magna Synodorum est
vis et virtus, caeteris in omni opere vestro in posterum
praelucere studueritis et in omni parte officii vestri omnem
diligentiam adhibueritis.

Datum die 15 Octobris, 1660.

Cornelius Gaffnaeus,

Vicarius Gen. Ardagbadensis,
Concilii Secretarius.

32 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

8. Letter of the Bisliop and Clergy of tlie Province of
Armagh, to the Holy See, in Defence of the Primate,
13th December, 1660.

(From the Rinuccini MSS.)

[Before the close of the year 1660, several accusations were
made by Peter Walsh, and other agents of the English Court,
against the illustrious Primate, Edmund O'Eeilly. Among
other statements thus made against him, he was represented as
a sower of disaffection among his people, and as guilty of
exciting them to disloyalty against the king. He was accord-
ingly summoned to Pome to reply to these charges, but did not
take his departure from Ireland till towards the close of 1661.
The following letter, which was written before his departure
for Pome, is invaluable, as preserving several precious details
regarding the life of this great ornament of the Irish Church,
which are not to be found recorded elsewhere.]

!N"os Episcopi, Vicarii Apostolici, Vicarii Generales, Dignitarii,
et Pegularis cleri Praelati, provinciae Ardniachanae.

1°. Testamur coram Deo, Angelis Sanctis, et hominibus,
quod lUustrissimus et Peverendissimus D. noster, Edmundus
Archiep. Ardmachanus et totius Hiberniae Primas, sit vir bonae
conversationis, exemplaris vitae. sobrius, pacificus, prudens, .
pudicus, ornatus, irreprehensibilis, sine crimine, laboris et
inediae patiens, intrepidus, et in periculis animosus.

2°. Testamur eundem ante annos circiter triginta duos,
carceres et vincula Exoniae in Anglia passmn ad menses
vigintitres integros propterea quod negaverit supremitatem
Pegiam (ut vocant), et vincula similia ante annos sex passum
Dublinii, false accusatum de multis homicidiis, ad menses viginti
et unimi et tandem ab ipsis hostibus judicantibus eundem inno-
centem judicatum.

3°. Testamur quod ab eo tempore quo venerit in hoc regno,
mense nimirum Octobris, 1659, functus fuerit cum summo sui
corporis valetudinis dispendio, libertatis et vitae periculo, omni-
bus muniis et officiis boni pastoris et Praelati, nunc visitando,
corrigendo, monendo, hortando, ordinando ordinavit enim vigin-
tinovem sacerdotes, ministrando sacramentum Confirmationis,
Oleum Sanctum consecrando feria 5^ in Coena Domini, convo-
cando Concilium Provinciale eidemque praesidendo (quod ab
annis duodecim intermissum fuit) sanciendo statuta salutaria et
leges Catholicas condendo.

4°. Testamur quod toto hoc tempore delituit in sylvis, in
montium cavernis et similibus latebris sine alio lecto quam

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 33

stramine aut gramme, et veste aliqua seu pallio desuper adjecto,
sine ullis deliciis, contentus pro cibo pane obscuro, butyro aut
carnibus, pro potu cervisia, lacte aut aqua, sine usu vini nisi in
saero, sine igne interdiu.

5°. Testamur quod praemissis omnibus non obstantibus sit
iniquissime oneratus et oppressus multorum calumniis et men-
daciis, quae homines inique agentes fingunt contra conscientiam
propriam, in suam ipsorum perniciem et coniusionem.

6°, Testamur quod causa et fomes istarum calumniarum sit
hoc quod 111. et Reverendissimus noster Primas anno 1648 dum
esset Vicarius Greneralis Dubliniensis cum summa submissione
et obedientia secutus fuerit sententiam, censuram et partes
Illlustrissimi et nunquam satis laudati Arcbiepiscopi et Principis
Firmani apud nos tunc Nuncii Apostolici extraordinarii, et quod
impedierit macbinationes intentas in internecionem Hibernorum.
Haec omnia vera sunt : sic nos Deus adjuvet. Quibus positis,
salvo semper meliori judicio et obedientia debita sacrae Sedi
Apostolicae, dolemus quod talis et tantus Praelatus, nobis tam
utilis et necessarius sit nobis ereptus et avocatus a Sua Sancti-
tate propter calumnias, mendacia et iniquas macbinationes
bominum haereticorum et scbismaticorum, quibus est solatio et
gloria quod nos privemur praesentia et consolatione nostri
patris et pastoris. Proinde hum il iter petimus et oramus ut
remittatur ad nos quamprimimi, inflicta talionis poena calumnia-
toribus praefatis, &c., in quorimi fidem his subscripsimus die
ultimo Decembris, 1660, stylo veteri.

Eugenius, Kilmorensis Episcopus, senior suffraganeus, Prov.
Ardmachanae.

Fr. Antonius, Episcopus Midensis,

Terentius Kelly, Yic. ApostoKcus Derensis et Protonotarius
Apostolicus.

Philippus Croly, Sac. Theol. et Juris utriusque Doctor,
Vicarius Clogherensis.

Guillelmus Shial, Vic. Apostolicus Clonmacnosiensis.

Cornelius Gafnaeus, Vic. Gren. Ardaghaden.

Thadaeus O'Clery, S.T.D., Vic. Gen. Kapotensis, Protono-
tarius Apostolicus, et Prior pugatorii S. Patricii.

Hugo Rally, Vic. Gen. Dromorensis.

Fr. Bernardus Egan, O.S.F., in Hibernia minister pro-
vincialis.

Fr. Franciscus O'Fearell, O.S.F., ex-provincialis et Guar-
dianus de Longford.

Fr. Antonius Govan, O.S.F., Guardianus de Cavan.

Fr. Paulus Tearanan, O.S.F., Guardianus de Donaugall.

Fr. Bonaventura de Hislenan, O.S.F., Guardianus Villae S.
Jacobi.

4

34 DIOCESE or ARDAGH.

Fr. Bonaventura Connaeus, O.S F., Ultoniae Coinmissarius.

Fr. Michael Gormlaeus, O.S.F., Guardianus Ardmacliaiius.

Patritius O'Mulderge, Yicarius Generalis Dmiensis, Abbas
Monasterii de Deserto,

Hugo Lorinanus, Yic. Gen. Connerensis, Sac. Tbeologiae
licentiatus.

Patritius Daly, Sac. Theol. et Juris utriusque Doctor, Abbas
Ardmacbanus, Prior Colideorum et Yic. Gen. Ardmacbanus.

Thomas Brady, Abbas Monasterii B. M. de Kells, Canoni-
corum Regularium et Archidiac. Kilmorensis.

Donatus Geargan, Decanus Kilmorensis.

Edmundus CFearell, Decanus Ardachadensis.

Joannes Douranius, Decanus Papotensis.

Fr. Hugo Magy, O.S.F., Guardianus Dunensis.

Fr. Thomas Quin, Monachus, Abbas de Samaria ord. Cister-
tiensis.

Oliver Darcy succeeded in 1644, and died in 1647.

1647. March 11. Patrick Plunket, "Die 11° Martii, 1647,
referento. Card. Spada, SS. providit ecclesiae Ardachaden, a
pluribus annis vac, de person abbatis Patritii Plunket, ord.
Cisterc. professi, ipsumque, etc. Corsini.

He was Abbot of St. Mary's, Dublin.

Bishop Plimket took a leading part in Church affairs, and
was much in Dublin in 1666 and the following years. In a
report laid before the Projjaganda, in July, 1669, it was stated
that the " Bishop of Ardagh, after his return from exile, conse-
crated two himdred priests for various dioceses in Ireland, as at
that time was no other bishop resident in that kingdom, save
the infirm Bishop of Kilmore." Dr. Plmiket was translated to
Meath in 1669.

Letter of the Bishop of Ardagh, 16th March, 1669.

Erne. Dne. Patrone Colendissime.

A quator mensibus altum silentium tenui in non scribendo
ad E™'^™- Y^™- Scrutans vias P. Jacobi Taafe et expectans
semper quod Suae Sanctitati obediret in exuendo ex hoc Regno
in quo scandalum commisit, tandem praetensa jurisdictione
totaliter privatus et declaratus infamis falsator, cum non esset
hie locus illi prae confusione in ullo diversorio post jacturam
propriae famae, Angliam petiit, quaerens requiem, dubito an
inveniet. Timeo posteriora facta ipsius futura pejora prioribus
(quod Deus avertat) : an vero in Anglia mansurus aut ulterius
transiturus nescitur, tempus docebit. Antiquus malorum dierum

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA. 35

fr. Petrus Valesius in insidiis ponendis perseverat prout latius
scripsi D""- Baldeschi. Interim elevatis oculis et genibus flexis
florentissimos et diutissimos annos exoptat,

Humus servus,

Patritius, Ep. Ardacliaden.

Dublinii, 16 Martii, 1668, stylo veteri
(id est, 1669).

From 1669 to 1688 this see was under Vicars. Gerard Ferall
was appointed Vicar Apostolic by the Propaganda, on the 9 th of
July, 1669.

9. Letter of the Vicar- Apostolic of Ardagh, 20th Feb., 1677.
(From the Archives of Propaganda.)
Illustrissime Domine, jLjL«300rCO

JS^os Gerardus Ferail Dei et Apostolicae sedis gratia Vic.
Alliens Diocesis Ardaghadensis in Hibernia percipientes ap-
propinquare dies senectutis nostrae, et perspicientes labores, quos
in stabiliendo pacem, et charitatem tarn cleri, quam populi nobis
commissi quotidie sustinemus ; consultum duximus providere
huic nostra dioecesi de viro bono, quem in antistitem presenta-
remur. Quare cum quotidie videamus plures dissensiones oriri
tam in clero, quam in populo ab introductionem extraneorum ad
praelaturas in hoc regno, ut passim a viris Ecclesiastiois ad
tribunal saecularium, et acatholicorum fiat recursus non sine
magno ecclesiae detrimento, et contemptu, nee non adversariorum
scandalo ; unde necessarium duximus, ex gremio nostrae dioecesis
unum praesentare ad onus Episcopale hujus dioecesis qui incli-
nationem populi, et vultum gregis facilius dignoscat. Invenimus
igitur in ordine S. Dominici R. P. Christophorum O'Feraill
originem duxisse ex illustri, antiqua, semperque Catholica
Ferailorum familia hujus dioecesis quae semper floruit viris
religiosis et Ecclesiasticis ex quibus fuit R. P. Frater Laurentius
O'Ferail ejusdem ordinis et familiae, qui in ultimis bellis hujus
regni, partes Ill™i Nuntii Apostolici fideliter agens, ab adver-
sariis diu conquisitus, tandem apprehensus, et post triduum ad
patibulum damnatus, a patibulo pendulus, utraque manu de
subscapulari extractis, Crucifixum et Rosarium cum maxima
populi admiratione in signum et tessaram fidei et passionis in
sublime erexit. Nee hunc quem commendamus, ignarum caKcis
Domini invenimus; dum enim e Belgio ad hoc regnum ob negotia
sedis Apostolicae ab 111°^° D"° Rospigliosi tum Belgii Inter-

36 JJIOCESE or ARDAGH.

nuntio destinaretvir, apprehensus in carcerem conjicitur, qui
saepius inde ad tribunal deductus, et in carcerem detrusus, toto
trium annorum spatio in frigore et egestate multa patienter
sustinuit. Cum tandem in eo nullam mortis causam invenissent
propter debita tempore suae captivitatis contracta in carcere
detinetur, donee industria et liberalitate 111. D. Eospiglisi praefati
Internuntii solutis debitis, pristinae libertati restituitur. Quare
cum sit nativus bujus dioecesis, religiosus professus familia,
habitu, et propria constantia in negotiis Sedis Apostolicae com-
mendabilis, ut notum omnibus, imo abunde beneaiiectis fidei
catholicae in bac afflicta provincia quam firmiter La animo
affectum, reverentiam et obedientiam babuit erga suam sanctita-
tem, ac ne optari quidem posse documenta ampliora iis quae
bactenus exbibuit, eum omnibiis extraneis praeferimus, dignum-
que judicamus ut in j)raemium suae captivitatis ad onus Epis-
copate promoveatur.

Quare eum in Episcopum bujus dioecesis promovendum
praesentamus, et postulamus. Humiliter supplicantes 111™^®
vestrae D^, ut praefatum Cbristopborum O'Feraill apud S.
Sanctitatem, et S. Congnem de Prop. Fide ad dictum onus
commendare et promovere dignetur.

D. D. Franciscus Ferall, Toparca de Mornin.

Rogerus Ferall, beres naturalis praefati Domini et territorii.

Sawby Ferall, beres naturalis territorii Brockinagb.

Marcus Ferall, beres naturalis de Cullinlasragb.

Fergusius Ferall, Dominus Temporalis de Ardannagb.

Franciscus Nugentius.

Joannes Far ell.

Carolus Roynalds.

Kedagb Roynalds.

TuUius Duigenan.

Joannes Duigenanus, medicus approbatus Ardagbadensis,
Clerus Ardagbadensis.

R. R. D. D. Joannes Cabill, pastor de Killglasse.

Patritius Keranus de Balle M'Carmuck.

Bernardus Magerri, pastor de Killoe.

Jacobus Albidensis, pastor de Moydow.

Patritius Farell, pastor de Ardagb.

Arturus Muldoone, pastor de Racline.

Dionysius Ferall, pastor de Ratasbik.

Hugo Dunor, pastor de Stradia, Bernardus Reyley, pastor.

Terentius Syridan, pastor, Cornelius Reyly, pastor.

TuUius Duigenan, pastor de Killtagorke, rector de Killsgery.

Dionysius Cullroy, pastor de Annagbduffe.

Fergus Keen, pastor de Killtubrad.

Bernardus Duigenan, pastor de Cloone.

LIOS-ARD-ABHLA.

37

Nicolaus Curogliory, pastor de Killronan.
Bernardus Eganus, pastor.
Carolus Rodeghan, curatiis de Fenagli.

Hoc extractum cum suo, originali de verbo ad verbuin
concordat, quod attestor.

Geraldus Ferall,

Vic. Aplicus, Ardaghaden.

In 1688 Gregory Fallon was appointed Bishop of Clonmac-
noise, and Administrator of Ardagh. From 1696 to 1709 tbis
See was again imder Vicars. Cbas. Tiernan was appointed Vic.
Apostolic on tbe 4tb June, 1696.

Bernard Donogber was proposed, on tbe 4tb of May, 1699,
as Vicar Apostolic, to succeed Tiernan, wbo bad died. Donogber
was appointed on tbe 27tb of July, and bis Brief was dated
August 20, 1699. He continued Vicar Apostolic until 1709.

1709. Ambrose O'Conor succeeded. He was recommended
to tbe united Sees of Ardagb and Clonmacnoise by letter of
James II., dated 16tb of June, 1709, from St. Germains.
O'Connor was of noble birtb, about fifty-five years old, and of
robust constitution for endurance of bardsbips. He was Master in
Tbeology and Provincial of tbe Dominicans. He was in Paris,
1709 (Propaganda Arcbives). O'Conor died in London, Feb.
20, 1711, before consecration. (Hib. Dom.)

Dr. O'Conor was an alumnus of tbe Sligo Dominican College,
and for tbirty years acted as Proctor at Madrid for tbe Irisb
Dominicans. In 1700 be became Prior Provincial, and was
continued in tbat office imtil 1708. 1711. Tbomas Moran,
Guardian of S. Isodore's, Rome, was proposed for tbe See of
Ardagb.

1718. Tbomas Flynn succeeded. He was appointed by
Brief, dated May 18, 1718. In July, 1718, be received a Brief
empowering bim to receive consecration from one bisbop, with
two dignitaries assisting. Dr. Flynn appears as a bisbop in 1730.

In tbose penal times. Dr. O'Flynn was compelled to
administer tbe Sacrament of Confirmation under very distressing
circumstances, sometimes at nigbt. On one occasion be selected
tbe townland of Drumgilra, in tbe parisb of Gortliteragb,
because it was inaccessible to tbe Britisb troops, being surrounded
by bogs and rivers. It is said bis remains were interred in
Cloone, Co. Leitrim. During bis Episcopac}?^, Clonmacnoise was
finally united to Ardagb, and bas been continuously beld witb it
since. ■ As tbe succession in botb dioceses is, from 1729, to be
found in tbe same person, it is fitting tbat I sbould now turn to
tbe origin of tbe See of Clonmacnoise, and endeavour to trace tbe
succession of its bisbops down to its union witb the more ancient

38 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

See of St. j\Iel. In doing so I shall commence by reproducing
some papers relating to the See of St. Eieran, published a few
years ago over my name in the Ecclesiastical Record, and which.
I hope may be interesting to the reader.

CLONMACNOISE. OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES.

"Majorum gloria, posterum lumen est."

About midway between Atblone and Banagber, on an ele-
vated spot gently sloping up from our noblest river the Shannon,
as it flows noiselessly and solemnly on, may be seen the
remains of an Abbey that once held high place amongst the
most celebrated centres of sanctity, wisdom, and learning, in
ancient Ireland. During the brightest epo'3h of our real glory,
it ranked second to no rival. Bangor, Clonard, and Clonfert,
alone amongst the multitude of ecclesiastical fortresses that kept
and spread blessed and civilising influences in our land, were
deemed worthy to be reckoned amongst its competitors. They
did not, however, excel it substantially in aught. Remarkable
alike for the splendour and magnificence of its buildings, the
extent and value of its possessions, the sanctity of its inmates,
the scholarly and brilliant attainments of its professors, together
with hospitality to the stranger and the poor, it gradually became
the lona of Ireland. Need I say more to indicate its name ?
It is a hallowed name, and there is a great deal sometimes in a
name, notwithstanding the insinuation from a high authority to
the contrary.

Clonmacnoise, or the " Seven Churches," as it is popularly,
but erroneously called, is the sacred ruin to which I refer. Alas,
its greatness has departed. Ruthlessly and violently was it
taken away, and so this venerable Abbey has fallen a victim to
the rapacity of the invader. Sanctity, learning, and hospitality
have fled. The halls and cloisters in which they so long
flourished and held swaj' have long since disappeared, leaving
nothing behind, save mouldering ruins and ivy-clad walls,
sentinelled by two round towers of " other days," to speak the
sad record of violated justice, profaned sanctuary, and fallen
greatness. " We have nothing left but great recollections,
unfortunately ; let us at least cherish them. These are in a
nation like the titles of ancient nobility in a fallen family, they
raise the mind, they fortify the soul in adversity, and nourishing
hope in the bottom of the heart, they prepare the soul for what
is to come." — Balmez.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 39

Every stone, however, that remains in her crumbling walls,
the dust and clay you press beneath your feet, and even the fresh
and invigorating western breezes that fan this dismantled Abbey,
whisper something of superhuman and heavenly grandeur.
Here prelate and king, abbot and monk, learned professor and
talented student, prince and peasant, sleep together in their
quiet graves. And here the lines written by a great but unhappy
poet regarding the greatest centre of all that is good and great,
whether in ancient or modern times, may not inaptly be quoted,
and, with some justification, fittingly applied :

" What are our woes and sufferance ? Come and see
The cypress, hear the owl, and plod your way
O'er steps of broken thrones and templep. Ye !
Whose agonies are evils of a day.
A world is at your feet as fragile as our clay.
Clonmacnoise of the Schools ! there she stands
Childless and crownless, in her voiceless woe ;
An empty urn within her withered hands,
Whose sacred dust was scattered long ago."

There is and must always be an attractive and sympathetic
power about this venerable ruin, studded as it is with so many
memorials of renowned men, and monuments of the praises of
Grod, which once resounded through its lonely walls. And so I
propose to give in this paper a brief sketch of the origin of
Clonmacnoise, and afterwards to notice some of the leading men
and events connected with the history of this sacred spot. In
doing 80 I do not put forward any pretence to originality. I
do not propose or pretend to produce nova, and anxious though
I should be to bring forth the Vetera nove, I have not any well-
founded hope of doing so.

This ground has been already gone over by many dis-
tinguished and gifted writers, who, having made a judicious
collection of historical facts, clothed them in a garb too attractive
and fascinating for me to hope for a moment to successfully
imitate. In one thing, however, I will not place myself second
to any writer, be he never so gifted, and ihat is love and venera-
tion for Clonmacnoise, and all the goodness this word embodies
and recalls. Heverentially saluting thee, O Clonmacnoise, of so
many saints and doctors, kings and nobles, I ask then what is
the meaning of thy name and the origin of thy greatness.

It may be observed in the beginning that Clonmacnoise was
known by several names. It was called Druim-Tipraid, "the
hill in the centre," or the hill of Tipraid. The reason appears
to be that in 779 the king of Connaught was called Tipraid. In
927 the ruling Abbot at Clonmacnoise was also called Tipraid.
So far then for the application of this word to the sacred spot.
It was also called Dunkeranensis, the enclosed place of Kieran

40 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and Killoon, or the Churcli of the Graves. It was called Artibra
too, that is of " the Wells." The holy wells are still to be seen,
bearing the names of St. Kieran and St. Finnian. In the later
annals, however, it is usually written Cluainmicnois. Now
Cluainmicnois, according to Seward and others, signifies the
" Retreat of the Sons of the Nobles." This name it received in
their opinion either because the nobles retired to it in their old
age, to spend the remainder of their days in peace and solitude ;
or because it was a burying-place for most of the Irish kings
and chieftains. Joyce, however, holds a different opinion. He
maintains that it signifies the meadow of the Son of Nos. In
the original name the last two syllables are in the genitive sin-
gular and not in the genitive plural, and must therefore be taken
to mean the name of a person. Joyce claims the Four Masters
as supporters of this view. Under the year 1461 they call this
place Cluain-muc-nois-mic-Fiadhaigh. From this it would ap-
pear Nos was the son of Fiadhaigh, who was chief of a tribe in
that part of King's Co., and that Clonmacnoise was within his
territory. Joyce also quotes Colgan and a still higher and older
authority than any yet cited, namely, the Cartsruhe MS. of Zeuss,
to support this view of the origin and meaning of the name.

Whatever may be said for or against either of these opinions,
there is no controversy about the name of the founder of this old
Abbey of such amazing splendour, wealth, and learning. Ciaran
was the name. He was called St. Ciaran the younger, to dis-
tinguish him from another great and holy man bearing the
same name — Ciaran of Saiger Ossory. Ciaran the younger was
of northern extraction. His father, who was a carpenter by
trade, but of nohle hirth, left Ulster and settled in Magh Ai, in
the Cotmty Roscommon. Here Ciaran was born in the year 516.
Brennan, in his Ecclesiastical History, states that Ciaran,* al-

* His, Ciaran's, life, is preserved in Irish, in the Book of Lismore ; and ia
Latin, in the Codex Salmanticensis, at Brussels ; and in the so-called Liber
Kilkenniensis, in Marsh's Library, Dublin. His father was Beoit, -who,
though a carpenter by trade, was of noble birth, being son of Olchan, of
J-athama, of IMaghmolt, of Uladh ; and the pious Darerca (daughter of Ercan,
son of Buachill), was our saint's mother. She was one of the Glasraidhe
family, of the Ciarraighe of Irluachair, and the poet Glas was her grandfather.
She bore five sons to Beoit, who are named in the following order : — LucoU
the eldest, Doinian, Ciaran, Odran, and Crouan. The last-named was a
deacon, the others were all holy priests. She also bore him three daughters,
of whom two were nuns, viz. : — Lugback and Eathboe ; and Pata, the third,
served God in a marriage state, aud in pious widowhood. The ItisIl Life
adds :^ — " The following are the cemeteries in which tlie relics of these saints
are, viz. : — Lucholl and Odhram, in Isell-Ciaran ; Donnan ajid Ciaran, in Clon-
macnoise ; Cronan and Beoit. and the three daughters in Tech-mic-Litsair."

Ainmire, son of Colgan, was king of the Ui-Neill territory, and oppressed
the people with intolerable biu-dens. Beoit sought a refuge from his exactions
at Eath-Crimthan. in Magh-Ai, in Connaught, then ruled by Crimthan, son
of Lughaid Dall. There St. Ciaran was born, on the sixth of the Kalends of

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 41

though of Ulster extraction, was born in Westmeath, in the year
507. But Eugene O'Curry and Archdall, whose opinion I prefer,
declare him to have been born in Roscommon, a.d. 516. He
was the son of Boetius and Darercha. He was also called
Macantsoir, or the son of the carpenter. He was educated at
the great College of Clonard, which was presided over, at that
time, by St. Finnian, who in his day shone as the sun of our
educational horizon. Having finished his educational course
there, he went to the monastery of St. Nennidius, in one of the
islands of Lough Erne. He afterwards repaired to the island of
Arran on the coast of Clare, where he placed himself under the
guidance of St. Enda, whose rule was at that time considered the
most rigorous in Ireland.

Here he perfected himself in the knowledge and spirit of
monastic rule and discipline, together with their observance.

After some time he returned to Westmeath, the county of
his collegiate education. Here he was presented by a friendly
chieftain with a spot of ground to build a church upon. The
place was, however, low, and hence the church was afterwards
known by the name of "Ciaran's low place," or "Isael Chiarain."
After some time he handed over the government of this church
to one of his tried and trusted disciples, and he retired for pur-
poses of greater solitude into the island of Inisaingin, in Lough
Eee. Here he founded a monastery and built a church. The
temporal as well as the spiritual wants of the poor were amongst
the noble objects contemplated by this great man in its foimda-

March, and was baptized by the Deacon Jxistus, who was famed for sanctity.
Our saint was subsequently entrusted to the care of this holy man, who was
trained at the same time in the paths of piety, and in the rudiments of human
science. It is mentioned as an instance of the special favours bestowed by
Providence on Ciaran, that when guarding the herds of his tutor at Fidharta
(i.e., Fuerty, Co. Roscommon), he heard all the instructions imparted by his
holy tutor to his fellow-students at Magh-Ai. It is also mentioned that
robbers came at one time from Ui-Failghe, to lay waste the Cenel-Fiachiadh.
Finding St. Ciaran reading, they endeavoured to carry off the cattle Avhich he
tended, "but they were stricken with blindness, and were unable to move hand
or foot until they had done penance, and were released through the power of
God and the prayers of Ciaran." After some time our saint was placed under
the care of St. Finnian, of Clonard ; and so great was the fame of his sanctity,
that he was soon reckoned one of the brightest ornaments of that school of
saints. There was a stag at the monastery, and Ciaran, when meditating,
uged to rest his book on the stag's horns. One day as he thus meditated,
the bell summoned him to other duties, and as he at once arose to obey its
summons, the stag started away carrying off the book on his antlers. Next
morning when Ciaran arose he found the stag awaiting him, and though the
preceding day and night were wet and the book was open, not a letter in it
was found to be damaged, through the merits of the saint. When St.
Ninnedh, from Loch Erne, went to the school of Finnian, this holy master
told him to ask some of the students for a copy of the Gospels, that he
might study them.

Ninnedh went around to several but could procure a book from none.
"Did you go to the gentle youth, i.e., to Ciaran, who is in the northern

42 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

tion. Throug-li his indomitable energy and extraordinary in-
fluence, and the benevolence of some of his devoted friends and
followers, this monastery became in a few years fully adequate
to meet all the purposes originally contemplated by its apostoKc
founder. Nay, more, the fame of his sanctity, wisdom, and
learning, attracted such a number of followers and disciples that
the limits of the island were deemed insufficient for their
accommodation, and therefore he resolved to resign the govern-
ment of this monastery and go further south. Accordingly, he
handed over this flourishing Abbey to his trusted and beloved
disciple, St. Domnan, or Donan, and left the island. For six
hundred years and more it flourished as a centre of sanctity,
learning, and other civiKzing influences. It produced, amongst
others, that great and learned man Augustin Macgraidin, author
of a complete History of the Acts of Saints of Ireland and the
Annals of this Monastery down to his own time.

But it is now a heap of ruins. It fell beneath those evil in-
fluences that were so powerfully united by the stranger against
morality, religion, and learning.

In the year 548 St. Ciaran left this island of "All Saints,'^
so beautifully and romantically situate in the midst of the waters
of Lough Ree, and within the confines of the Diocese of Ardagh.
It was the last year of the reign of Tuathal Mailgarbh, Monarch
of Erinn. This king was the third in descent from Nial of the
Nine Hostages.

Diarmid, a young and powerful prince of the same race and
of equal claims to the succession of Tara, was also a pretender
to the throne. The new king, fearing the presence of so power-
part of the meadow?" asked Finniao. "I will go to him now," replied
Nianedh ; " and when he applied to him, Ciaran had completed half of the
ftospelof St. Matthew, and was engaged at the words, "omnia quaecumque
vultis quod faciant vobis homines, facite illis similiter." Our saint said to
him : " This is my book of study, but it is meet that I should do to others
what I would wish to be done to myself ; take with thee this book." Next
ilay, when it was told that Ciaran had completed only half of St. Matthew,
one of the company said : " Half-Matthew shall be his name;" but Finnian
chided him, and said, ' ' Not such shall be his name ; but half of Erin shall
be snbject to his rule." Among the presents made to his master by St.
Ciaran, was a gift of corn which, in after times, was known as Ana Findein,
i.e , the riches of Finnian. " This corn satisfied all Finnian's congrega-
tion for forty days ; and the third of it was stored up for invalids, and it
healed every disease ; and when at length it crumbled into dust, this, too,
healed every disease." St. Finnian pronounced the following blessing on
Ciaran : —

" O Ciaran, 0 generous man,
For thy holiness I love thee ;
The reward of thy charity shall be given to thee —
Much glory and much land.

" O illustrious, noble Ciaran,

To thee may each response be profitable ;
May thy church be ever blessed
With much nobility and

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 4'3

ful a rival, ordered him to leave the territory of Meath.
Diarmid, accompanied by a devoted band of followers, repaired
to the Uj)per Shannon and there lived on the hospitality of his
friends on both sides of the river. Thus did he spend his life
for nine years, the period of his opponent's reign. About this
time Ciaran and his devoted disciples came up from Athlone,
after quitting Lough E,ee in boats, and landed at Clonmacnoise.
Diarmid happened to be in the neighbourhood on the river,
went on shore, and followed the strangers. Having reached the
" Hill of Wells" where St. Ciaran stopped, he approached
and found the saint with a pole in his hand endeavouring to
plant it as the first pole of a new church.

" What work is about being done here ?" said Diarmid. " The
erecting of a small church," said the saint. " Well indeed may
that be its name," said Diarmid, "Eglais Beg," or "Little
Church."

" Plant the pole with me," said the saint, " and let my hand
be above your hand on it, and your hand and your sovereign
sway shall be over the men of Erinn before long." " How can
that be," said Diarmid, " since Tuathal is Monarch of Erinn
and I am exiled ? "

" God is powerful for that," said Ciaran. They then set up
the pole, and Diarmid made an offering of the place to God
and St. Ciaran.

Diarmid had a foster-brother amongst his followers. His
name was Maelmora. When he heard the saint's prophetic
words he resolved to verify them. With this purpose he set

St. Finnian cherished a special predilection for Ciaran, and when obliged
to be absent for a time from his disciples, deputed " that youth," as he
used to say, to preside in his stead. He saw one day in vision two moons of
the colour of gold, one of which moved over the sea to the north, the other
over the centre of Erin. This, he explained, as referring to SS. Columkille
and Ciaran — the former, with the brightness of his nobility and princely
descent ; the latter, with the mild radiance of his charity and meekness.
Among his companions at the school of Finnian was St. Brendan of Birr, who
was famed for his spirit of prophecy. He said one day to St. Ciaran, that
the same difference would be between his own monastery and that of Ciaran,
as between the rivers on which they would be placed, that is, the little
Brosnagh and the Shannon.

Ciaran went, on one occasion, to Tuathal Maelgarbh, King of Erin (a.d.
533 to 544), to solicit the freedom of a bond slave. The favour was granted,
and the rich gifts were made to him by the king, but all these he distributed
among the poor. When Ciaran was about to take his leave from Clonard,
St. Finnian offered his cathair or monastery to him ; but Ciaran wept at
such honour being shown to him, and said : " Your monastery belongs to
none but God, who has given you great love beyond us all."

They then entered into a spiritual covenant, and as Ciaran proceeded on
his way, Columkille composed the quatrain :—

" Noble the youth who goes -westward from us
Ciaran, the son of the carpenter ;
Without envy, -without pride, -without contention,
Without jealousy , without satire."

44 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

out on horseback to Grellacli Eillti, a place situate in tlie
northern part of Westmeath, where he had heard the monarch
was staying. By strategy he gained access to his presence and
struck Tuathal in the breast with his spear and killed him.
I^ eedless to add, Maelmora himself fell immediately on the same
spot, a victim on the one hand to his own mistaken devotion and
heroism in the cause of his chieftain, and on the other hand to
the fidelity in discharge of duty of one of the monarch's body-
guard. As soon, however, as Dairmid's friends heard of the
king's death, they sought him and proclaimed him Monarch of
Erinn. Here one may reflect upon what Seneca has written,
Oct. 456 : " Ferrum tuetur principem. Sed. melius fides."
Yes, the highest authority has said, " Fides tua te salvum fecit."
It has been beautifully written also :

'• What sword or power equal to this ?
And he that has that is clad in complete steel,
And, like a quivered nymph with arrows keen.
May trace huge forests and unharbored heaths.
Infamous hills and sandy perilous wilds."

Eomantic and fanciful as this account of the origin of Clon-
macnoise may at first sight appear, there are not wanting his-
torical proofs amply sufficient to convince the most sceptical of
its veracity.

I shall advance only two, as I consider them quite sufficient.

The fijst is to be found in a Tract on the foundation of Clon-
macnoise in the Leabhar Buidhe Lecain, which contains the
narrative already given. This manuscript may be seen in Trinity

Ciaran proceeded to Aran to receive lessons of heavenly wisdom from St-
End a. He there saw in vision a large fruitful tree transplanted to the middle
of Erin. It sheltered the whole island, and its fruit was borne beyond the sea
which surrounded Erin, and it seemed as if all the birds of the world would
come to taste of its fruit. St. Enda explaining this ■vision said to him, ' ' The
great tree which thou hast seen is thyself, Erin shall be full of thy honour, and
the shadow of thy grace shall protect the whole island, and multitudes shall
be satiated with the fruits of thy fasting and prayers : go, then, in the name
of God, to the banks of the Shannon, and foimcl thy church there." Before
bidding farewell, these two great samts erected a cross on the coast of Aran as
a pledge of their undying spiritual friendship.

After leaving Aran, Ciaran met with a poor man who solicited an alms.
Having nothing else to bestow, he gave his casula to him. Proceeding thence
to Inis-Cathaig, .St. Senan, admonished by God, went forth to meet him, and
giving him a casula. said, "It is not meet that a priest should travel without
his cowl." St. Ciaran afterwards, from Clonmacnoise, sent back the casula to
Senan, and in after times it was preserved as a priceless relic in Inis-Cathaig.

The first chm-ch erected by Ciaran was at Isell-Ciaran, which place was
presented to him by Cobhthach, son of Brecan. It Avas here that one day
while sowing com in a field, Ciaran threw into the bosom of a poor man who
asked an alms, a handful of com which was at once changed into gold. From
Isell-Ciaran our saint proceeded to Inis-Ainghin, i.e., "Hare Island," in Lough
Eee, and many disciples flocked thither to him. There was a religious man on
that island, of the name of Daniel, and he was a Briton. He was tempted by

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 45

College, Dublin, and is classed H. 2, 16. It treats not onl}»^ of
the fovmdation of Clonmacnoise, but also of the succession of
Diarmid, the son of Feargbus Ceirrbbeoil, in tbe sixtb century,
in whose reign Tara was deserted and ceased to be occupied by
the Monarchs of Erinn.

The second proof I advance is to be found on the face of that
magnificent stone cross still standing within the precincts of
this venerable Abbey. On this beautiful work of art, and one
admittedly equal to the highest efforts of genius and skill in this
department, are sculptured many subjects of deep interest.
Amongst them are to be found two figures representing two men
holding an erect pole between them. Now, whatever date may
be assigned to the erection of this noble cross (and I admit it
to be a controverted point amongst the learned), there is no
doubt that the figures referred to were intended to commemorate
the manner of the foundation of the " Eglais Beg," the history
of which then at least was implicitly believed. Indeed, these
figures seemingly wish to say it was thus Clonmacnoise was
founded.

I will now leave this splendid work of art, with the intention
of returning to its figures and history before I have finished
this book, and go back to St. Ciaran.

We left him with the Monarch Diarmid, holding his hand
above the king's hand, in planting the first pole of the little
church. Thus was commenced and raised by these two great
men the first church of that group which afterwards became so
celebrated.

Satan, and became jealous of Ciaran. Our saint, in token of forgiveness, be-
stowed on him "a royal goblet, adorned with three golden gems," and the Briton,
overcome by this generosity, did penance, and gave over his church to Ciaran.

One time as Ciaran was seated with the brethren at Inis-Ainghin, he told
them to go down to the port, that there they would meet their future abbot.
When they arrived there they found none but a tender youth from the neigh-
bouring territory. They returned and told this to Ciaran. He said to them,
" Return, nevertheless, and welcome him, for he shall be your abbot after me."
He was then brought to Ciaran, and, being tonsured, became a loved disciple of
our saint. The Life adds: "This was Enna Mac Ui Laighsi, a most holy
illustrious man before the Lord, and it was he that was abbot after Ciaran.'

A man from Corco Baiscinn (ia the County Clare), came to visit Ciaran.
His name was Donnan, and he and Senan had the same mother. " What do
you desire, and whither do you go ? " asked Ciaran. "I seek a place where I
may rest in the service of God," replied Donnan. Ciaran embraced him, and
soon after bestowed the monastery on him, and taking his leave, gave to him
the copy of the gospels and his bell, and left also with him his bell-ringer, i.e.,
Maelodhrain. Three years and three months Ciaran lived in Inis-Ainghm, and
then he proceeded to Ard-Mantain, near the Shannon. Having rested there
awhile, and contemplating the beauty of its scenery, he said, " If it is here we
remain we shall have much indeed of the riches of this world, but the souls
sent to heaven from it shall be few." Thence lie proceeded forward till he
came to Clonmacnoise, then called Ard-Tiprait, "here will we stay," he said,
" for numerous will be the souls that will ascend to heaven from this spot."

46 DIOCESE OF AUDAGH.

It is stated in ancient records that tlie king not only aided
the saint with his own hands in the erection of the sacred edifice,
but also in the construction of the humble cell adjoining, in which
Ciaran lived and died.

The king was to the saint, in a temporal sense, friend, brother
and father To Ciaran, Diarmid was a beloved name, " Carum
et A^enerablile nomen." For there was another Diarmid, and he
was his spiritual teacher, friend and father. St. Diarmid, of the
Seven Church Island, Lough Ree, in the Shannon, was he. He
was not only Ciaran's spiritual director and teacher for a time,
but he also baptized him.*

Assuming this statement to be an historical fact (and it is
supported by respectable authorities), it would favour the opinion
asserting Mag Ai, County Roscommon, to be the birthplace of
Ciaran. For St. Diarmid lived and died in Inis-clothran, or
Inchclerdun, now commonly known as Seven Church, or Quaker's
Island. The latter name it got, because a Quaker took up his
residence on it some years ago. Bathed by the spreading and
majestic waters of the Shannon in Lough Ree, this island ad-
joins Roscommon, and would be within easy distance of Mag
Ai, for the baptismal regeneration of Ciaran.

I cannot leave this truly romantic and charming spot, and
St. Diarmid, without recording what Mr. O'Donovan tells us he
heard on the occasion of his visit to these parts, when engaged
on the Ordnance Survey. He states that the boatmen (three in

The Life adds : '• It was on the 10th of the Kalends of February that Ciaran
took up his abode in Clonmicnoise, on the 10th of the moon, a Saturday. Eight
persons formed the company, viz. : — Ciaran, Aenghus, Nac Nisse, Caelcholum,
Mulioc, Lugna, Mac hui Mogalaim, and Colman mac Nuin. Wlien Ciaran
planted the first post of the Cathair of Clonmicnoise, Diarmaid Mac Cerbhaill,
who was present, joined him in his work. Ciaran blessmg him said, " Though
few are your companions to-day, to-morrow thou shalt be the Kmg of Erin."'
This was verified, for on that night, Tuathal ISIaelgarbh, King of Erm, was
killed, and Maelmor, who slew Tuathal, was immediately slain, and Diarmaid
was sunmioned to assume the sovereignty. This king proved himself grateful
to St. Ciaran and his brethren, and bestowed on him rich gifts of land, and no
fewer than one hundred churches. After commemoratiug some miracles of our
saint, the Life thus continues : " Only four months did Ciaran dwell in the
newly-erected monastery, when his soul went to heaven, on the ninth day in
the middle month of the harvest. When his death approached, he prophesied
with great sorrow, that wicked people would wage a loitter persecution against
his monastery, towards the end of time, and he told his religious brethren not
to fix their thoughts on dwelling there, but to turn their affections wholly to
heaven, that thus all might be united there. And Ciaran was in the Eclais
IBeg (i.e., the little church), when his death came upon him, in the 33rd year of
his age, on the fifth of the ides of September, on a Saturday, the fifteenth of
the moon's age. He said, ' Let me be taken a little distance out,' and when he
saw the wide expanse of heaven over him, he said, ' Narrow is the May which
leads to heaven.' But the brethren who were with him said, 'IS'ot to you, O

* Some say he was baptised by the Deacon Justus.

CLQNMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEX CHURCHES. 47

number) who rowed him to Seven Church Island, declared that
they saw, three weeks previously, about noonday, a tall and
stately figure walk with measured step along the waves from
this island towards Athlone, They asserted they saw (each and
all) at the same time the apparition, plainly and distinctly, as
far as their vision could reach, in the direction of Hare Island,
and that they believed it to be the form of St. Diarmid, or, at
least, one of the saints belonging to the island.

Be that as it may, the inhabitants of the parish of Cashel
have a profound veneration for the memory of St Diarmid.
Tradition handed it down to them from sire to son, and to-day
his memory is in benediction amongst them almost as freshly as
it was ages ago. Under the devoted and enlightened pastor-
ship of the distinguished P.P., the Rev. Michael Gilligan, who
now guides the religious destiny of this people, we may truly
say the saint's honour, veneration, and memory are in safe
keeping. His feast falls on the 10th January.

Ciaran was the worthy son of such a spiritual father.

And here I may make a little digression.

His Eminence Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, tells us,
with all that grace and accuracy for which his historic pen is so re-
markable, when writing on Irish Ecclesiastical affairs, that Ciaran
and St. Colomba met in the halls of the great schools and were
intimate friends. In his life of the future Apostle of lona, the
Cardinal incidentally remarks that Colomba, like Ciaran IVCacant-
sior, was placed from his earliest age under the guidance of a
pious and holy priest. Whilst under his guardianship, Adamnan

Father, shall it be narrow.' 'I do not know,' replied Ciaran, ' that any part of
the Gospel declares it easy to me, and David, son of Jesse, and the Apostle Paul
feared this way ! ' Then the brethren removed the stone pillow that his head
might have a little ease, but Ciaran had it at once replaced under his head,
saying, ' that he who does not persevere shall not receive his crown.' Angels
now filled the space between heaven and earth to accompany his soul. He
was brought back into the Eclais Beg, and, raismg his hands, he blessed the
brethren, and directed them to close the church upon him, whilst he would
converse on heavenly things with St. Coemghen {i.e., Kevin\ of Glendaloch,
and St. Coemghen blessed water and sprinkled the place all around, and then
gave, for the last time, the holy communion to the dying saint. St. Ciaran gave
his bell as a parting pledge of his affection to St. Coemghen, and (the writer of
the Life adds) this is called the Boban Coemghen at the present day."

It is recorded that many of the holy people thi-oughout Ireland were dis-
satisfied at the gift of one hundred churches made to St. Ciaran by King
Diarmaid, and St. Columbkille pronounced his death a happy event, as it saved
him from a gathering storm (Colgan, Trias, page 457b).

St. Columbkille held our samt in the highest veneration. A Latin hymn
which he wrote after St. Ciaran's death is still extant, in which he commemo-
rates his virtues, thankmg God for sending to the world so great an apostle
and styling him the Lamp of this Island : —

" Quantum Christi, O Apostolum,
Mundo misisti hominem !
Lucema hujus insuLae
Lucens lucema mirabilis." (Trias, j . 172.)

48 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

informs us, tliat an angel appeared to Colomba and asked what
special virtues he desired most. The saintly youth replied that
he desired before all others " virginity and wisdom." Not long
after, Colomba being engaged in prayer, three maidens arrayed
in heavenly light, appeared before him. But the holy youth
heeded them not. They asked, " dost thou not know us ?" He
was silent. " We are the three sisters, Virginity, Wisdom, and
Prophecy," and we are sent by God to be your inseparable com-
panions during your earthly pilgrimage."

At another time, while Ciaran and Colomba were engaged in
their studies under the same collegiate roof, two brilliant lights
were observed in the heavens, having their rays concentrated on
the monastery. One was silvery as the moon and the other
golden as the sun. The holy Abbot and Bishop Finiiian, after-
wards stated in his explanation of this vision that Colomba
would be as the golden sun, whilst Ciaran Macantsoir would
shine as a silvery light on account of his virtues and his deeds.
The prophecy was literally verified. These two great and holy
men shone in their daj^, and, I may add, to the present time, the
one as the sun and the other as the moon, in our collegiate and
monastic horizon.

And now my memory goes off to the Angelical Doctor and
the vision he had in the church of St. Dominick, at Naples. St.
Thomas was in the habit of praying in the church before the hour
for matins, and the friars were aware, but more especially Father
Reginald, that the angelical received extraordinary favours
from our Lord on such occasions. Era Dominico being anxious

The same great saint when proceeding to lona wished to bring with him
two handfuls of clay from the grave of St. Ciaran. On getting into the eddy
of Corryvreckan, when there appeared to be no hope of safety, he threw this
precious relic into the sea, and his boat passed unharmed through that danger
(Trias, page 457b, and Reeve's Adamnan, pages 24 and 263). St. Columbkille
was only in his 30th year at the time of our saint's death, but we learn from
Adamnan that he in after life returned to visit the spot hallowed by his
remains. The religious went forth to welcome the bosom friend of their holy
patron. " The whole of them," says Adamnan, "singing hymns and praises,
conducted him to the church, and to guard him as he walked from the pressure
of the multitude, a barrier, formed of pieces of wood bound together, was
carried by four men, who timed their steps with his."

Almost all the ancient authorities agree that St. Ciaran died at the early age
of thirty-three years. The various annals, however, do not agree in assigning the
year of the saint's death. The Chronicon Scotorum, however, which, being
composed in Clonmacnoise, is justly esteemed the most accurate and trust-
worthy of our records regarding this monastery, registers the birth of St.
Ciaran in the year 512 : "Nativitas Sancti Ciarani filii artificis," and his death
in the year 544. ' ' Ciaran the Great, son of the carpenter, quievit m the thirty-
third year of his age, in the seventh month also after he began to build
Cluain-mic-Nois." This opinion has also in its favour that it was in 544
Diarmaid assumed the sovereignty of Ireland (See Dr. Todd's list of the
Mouarchs of Ireland, in Memoir of St. Patrick, page 256) ; whilst, from the
life of our samt, it is manifest that the foundation of Clonmacnoise must be

CLOXMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 49

to witness St. Thomas in tlie enjoyment of these spiritual
favours, concealed himself one night in the church. Thomas
came in when all were at rest, and approached the crucifix of our
Lord, in the chapel of St. Nicholas, and remained there a con-
siderable time. He was afterwards lifted two cubits in the air
in an ecstasy, and so remained for a long time. Whilst the saint
was entranced, Fra Dominico heard Christ's voice distinctly
saying from the image, " Thoma, bene scripsisti de me ; quam
recipies a me pro tuo labore mercedem?" "Domine non nisi
te," was the answer. I know there are some who read visions
with sceptical and unbelieving eyes. I know they would as
soon give credence to the dream of Socrates and the coming of
the young swan from the groves of Academus and nestling in
his bosom, and then soaring aloft, " how she sang sweetly over
him." As well might it be expected that the un-Catholic mind
would believe in the tale of the bees, said to have poured honey
into the mouths of infants fast asleep in the bowers of myrtles
on Mount Hymettus.

Such persons, however, do not know anything of God's ways
and relations to his saints. They rejoice in their hard heads,
and we do not envy their joy.

I have observed already that Diarmid of Church Island, in
Lough E,ee, was the spiritual father, friend, and teacher of
Ciaran's early life ; whilst Diarmid the monarch was his tem-
poral friend and supporter. I will now add that another Diarmid
was privileged to attend St. Columba in his last moments in
lona, and to speak to him the last words before the altar in the

referred to the same period, and that a few months later our saint was sum-
moned to receive his reward. (See Chronicon Scotorum, published under the
direction of the Master of the Rolls, and edited by W. H. Hennessy, Esq., in
1866.

The memory of St. Ciaran was, immediately after his death, held in the
highest veneration throughout Ireland. St. Cummian, in his famous Paschal
Epistle, reckons him among the "Patres Priores" of the Irish Church. Alcuin,
too, names him as a bright ornament of the Irish nation, " Cheranus Scottorum
gloria gentis." In all the ancient lists he is commemorated as one of the twelve
great apostles to whom Ireland gave birth, and also as one of the eight founders
of monastic rules in our island. His feast is marked on the 9th of September,
in the Martyrology of Tallaght and all our other Martyrologies. St. Angus,
in his Felire, thus celebrates him on that day : —

" A great solemnity that fills territories,
That impels fast-going ships.
The son of the carpenter, more noble than kings.
The glorious festival of Ciaran of Cluain."

In the gloss it is added : — " Thirty-three years was his age when he died-
The three worst counsels that were ever acted on in Erin, by advice of saints,
were the shortening of Ciaran's life, the exile of Columbkille, and the expulsion
of Mochuda from Rahin." The Martyrology of Donegal has the following
particulars regarding him on his feast-day : — " Ciaran, son of the carpenter.
Abbot of Cluaiu-mic-Nois ; Beoaidh was the name of the carpenter, his father;

5

50 DIOCESE or ARDAGH.

chapel at lona, on that memorable Sunday morning, the 9tli
June, 597, when Columba's virginal soul went back to his
Creator.

Another reference, during their earthly life, to Ciaran and
Columba, and I have finished.

One day, in the course of conversation between these young
Saints, the new church which the holy Abbot Mobhi had just
erected was made mention of.

Ciaran said he wished " it were full of holy men who, by
night and day, would sing the praises of God." St. Columba
said " he would wish it were filled with silver and gold, to afford
relief to Christ's poor and build churches and monasteries."

The venerable Abbot heard of what they said, and prophe-
sied that those holy youths would receive favours from heaven
in accordance with their pious wishes. The prophecy was lite-
rally fulfilled in Ciaran' s case, not during his earthly life, it is
true, but not long after his life in heaven began. Young and
old, peasant and prince, the votary of learning and the aspirant
to evangelical perfection, noble and king, crowded to Clonmac-
noise in search of peace, wisdom, and virginity.

A celebrated pagan poet represents the human race in anxious
pursuit of a place called Olympus, where, in rich poetic fancy,
he dreamed there was an ever tranquil abode of the gods, never
shaken by winds, nor wet by showers, nor covered by snow,
where the hardened frost does not annoy, and the sky is ever
pure and cloudless, and a bright glory overspreads.

" Apparet divum numen, sedesque quietae
Quas neque concutiunt venti, nee nubila nimbeis
Aspergunt, neque nix acri concreta pruina
Cana cadens violat ; senipei' sine nubibus aether
Integer et large diffuse lumine ridet."

Darerca, daughter of Ercan, son of Buachall, son of Glas, the poet of the

Ciarraighe, of Irluachair, was his motlier. He was of the race of Core, son of
Fergus, son of Ross, son of Rudraighe, thirty-tliree years was his age when he
yielded his spirit to heaven. Cuimin, of Condeire, states in the poem which
begins ' Patrick of the Fort of Macha loves,' &c., that Ciaran never looked upon
a woman from the time of his birth, and never told a lie. Thus he says : —
" The holy Ciaran, of Cluain, loves

Humility, from which he did not rashly swerve ;

He never uttered a word that was false,

Nor looked upon woman from his birth."

" It was Ciaran that composed the celebrated poetical lay which begins,
' An rim a ri, an richid rain,' asking of God a prolongation of life that he might
perform more labour and service to Him. Great are his signs and his miracles
as is evident in his life. A very ancient vellum book states that Ciaran of
Cluain, was, in his habits and life, like unto John the Apostle." — Martyrology
of Donegal, page 241. The Irish Life in the Book of Lismore ends with the
following beautiful eulogy of our saint : — " There is no one who could fully
enumerate the virtues and miracles performed by St. Ciaran, for there was no
one of greater charity and mercy, of greater labour, abstinence, and prayer, of
greater humility and assiduity, of greater gentleness and mildness, of greater

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES,

51

Tennyson, in his " King Arthur," translates it briefly and
beautifully : —

" Where falls not hail or rain or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly."

Such places the pagans, of course, never found, except in
poetic dreams. It is, however, certain that St, Ciaran and men
like him did establish, at Clonmacnoise and elsewhere, not such
an elysium as refined Grecian and cultured Roman sighed for
in vain, but an abode of sanctity and peace, prayer and labour,
study and learning, sacrifice and song, in honour of the one true
God and the ever Adorable Trinity, and for man's real happi-
ness. In this old monastery of Clonmacnoise and elsewhere
were fully realised, in the spiritual and mystic sense, what
Virgil wrote : —

" Conspicit ecce alios dextra laevaque per herbam,
Vescentes, laetumque choro paeana canentes,
Inter adoratum lauri nemus ; unde superne
Plurimus Eridani per sylvam volvitur amnis.
Hio manus, ob patriam pugnando vulnera passi,
Quique sacerdotes casti, dum. vita maiiebat,
Quique pii vates, et Phoebo digna locuti."

Aen. vi. 656.

But let me return from this digression to the saint and the
king. Soon after they had erected the little church and cell,
Ciaran was called to the reward of his labours.

In the year immediately following the laying of the founda-
tion, a terrible pestilence swept over the land, carrying with it
many a young, as well as middle-aged, useful and vigorous life.

diligence towards the Church of God, of greater daily labour before the approach
of night. He never indulged his body with leisure or idleness, he never drank
milk or ale until it was one -third water, he never ate bread until a third of
sand was mixed with it. He slept not except on the naked clay ; under his
head there was nought but a stone for a pillow ; and he never used linen or
woollen garments next his skin. He was a man of eminent choice merits before
God, like Abel ; a man of earnest appreciation of the Lord, like Enoch ; a faithful
pilot of the ark of the Church amidst the waves of the world, like Noah ; a
true pilgrim with firmness of piety and faith, like Abraham ; a merciful man,
forgiving from the heart, like Moses ; a devout, patient man amidst sorrows
and tribulations, like the afflicted Job ; a melodious, delightful psalmist to God,
like David ; a vessel of true wisdom and true knowledge, like Solomon ; an
immovable rock on which the Church was founded, like Peter the Apostle ;
prime universal preceptor, and select vessel for proclaiming truth, like the
Apostle Paul ; a man full of the grace of the Holy Ghost, and of virginity, like
John, the bosom foster-son. It is on account of these, and many other good
deeds, that Ciaran's soul is with the citizens of heaven. His relics and remains
are here attended with honour and reverence, with daily virtues and miracles,
and though great is thus his honour, greater shall it be in the unison of the
saints of heaven, when, in incorruptible body and soul, on the day of the great
assembly of judgment, as the reward of his teaching, he shall sit in judgment
with the Redeemer whom he served." — Book of Lismore, MS. in R. I. A., fol.
78, seq.

As regards the relics with which Clonmacnoise was enriched, must be

52 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

To this terrible plague Ciaran fell a victim. In tlie 33rd
year of his age (a remarkable year), quievit in Domino, a.d. 549,
and it is added, in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, that his body
was buried in the "Little Church" at Clonmacnoise: "Beati
mortui qui in Domino moriuntur." His feast is celebrated on
the 9 th of September, each recurring year, and during the
Octave, in this Diocese of Clonmacnoise, where it is a double of
the first class. The present Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmac-
noise, Right Rev. Dr. Woodlock, having compiled from the
BoUandists proper Lessons for the Second Nocturn of the Office
of our Saint, obtained for them the approbation of the Holy See,
through the good offices of the Right Rev. Dr. Moran, Bishop
of Ossory, now Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, who kindly
revised the manuscript.

" Sancte Kierane, ora pro nobis."

I am aware that the year of the death of this great man, of
whom St. Columba wrote in his poem of praise —

" Quantum Chi'isti, O Apostolum mundo misisti hominem
Lucerna hiijus iusulae lucens lucerna mirabilis,"

has been variously stated. I am aware that the BoUandists
have attempted to prove that he lived until a.d. 570, but the
year already given seems to me supported by the ablest and
most accurate writers. Archdall, Dssher, Ware, Lanigan, sup-
port this date, and the Four Masters in some editions, whilst in
others the date is fixed at 548. And now, standing on the hal-

reckoned the famous Imda Chiarain, or cow-hide couch, on which St. Ciaran
expired. It was venerated as a most precious relic, being hallowed by the
death of our saint, and it was regarded as a special privilege to permit those
who were infirm to repose upon this couch. The Annals of Clonmacnoise state
that the remains was interred within the " Eglais Beg," or Little Church, in
which he died ; and hence in aftertimes it was known as "Teampul Chiarain."
The Irish Life also says, that besides the relics of its founder, it was hallowed
by the remains of many thousand " with the relics of Paul and Peter which
Benen left, and which are there enshrined ; and the relics of MacDall, that is
a disciple of the Prophet, and the shrine of the aiged, that is to say, the Prophet
which a certain pious person saw transported by Angels to Ciaran's burial
place. " It must be remarked that the contraction used in this last passage for
the Avord Prophet is ambiguous, it probably, however, refers to Caencombrace,
who was venerated as a Prophet in Clonmacnoise, as we see in the Martyrology
of Donegal, page 199. In Miss Stokes's Christian Inscriptions, page 76, there
is an ancient Irish poem on Clonmacnoise, which ends with the strophe : —

" There are a hundred Ciarans saints of high, heaven,
With Peter and Paul, witnesses of truth,
And the silver shrine of the chief Virgin,
In the city of the prayerful one."

In the vellum MS. preserved in Trinity College Library, Dublin (H. 2, 7,
col. 232), there is also an Irish poem entitled " The Prayer of Protection of
Ciaran," which has the following strophes on the heavenly treasures of Clon-
macnoise : —

" There are great virtues
In the cemetery of noble Cluain ;
It is the same to be in its clay
As in tb0 burial-place of Kome,

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 53

lowed spot where this sad event took place, and looking around
at all that remains of his shrine and those of the great saints
and scholars who succeeded him, one is reminded of the words
of a very distinguished poet —

" Even the faintest relics of a shrine
Of such a worship wake some thoughts divine."

The memorials scattered over this plain, where the "Arts" of
Ireland once found their centre, where the schools of Ireland
collected promising youths, kept them for a time, and then, like
the Trojan horse, sent them out, full of varied erudition, con-
summate piety, practical sympathy, with Kieran's motto (" Do
to others as you should like others to do unto you"), and there-
fore ready for the proper discharge of every serious and import-
ant duty, are fading away. Two beautiful specimens of ancient
stone crosses, numerous antique gravestones, two majestic roimd
towers, the ruins of more than eight churches, presenting inte-
resting varieties of Christian architecture, together with a few
old trees of apparently equal antiquity — the lone survivors of
the vast woods of Clonmacnoise — casting their shadows over the
lonely graves of the dead, remain to testify, even in their dila-
pidated condition, the refinement of our fathers at the close of
the ninth century. There also remains the ancient causeway on
the right, leading along the river to the nunnery, once repaired
by Devorgilla ; and on the left are the ruins of an old castle,
once the palace of the bishops (some think),* now tumbled about

" The relics of Paul and of Peter,
The seamless garment of our Lord,
With the smooth hair of Mary,
They are in its Urdam (i.e., Sanctuary).

" Interred within the Urdam

Are the founders of the Eath,

With one hundred and four

Who neglected not the hour of prayer.
" With Domnan and Tocha,

And Silan, the learned leper,

With Moedog, of fair countenance,

With Fergus, -with Enna.
" With Odhram and Caeman,

And Fursa, heavenly, venerable, austere

With Lugna and Gother,

With Sother and Bernard.
" Close to the Urdam on the north,

In a very slender house (tech),

Are twelve men whose prayers

Would make even hell a heaven.
" Close to the Urdam on the south,

There are four — it is right to mention them

They would light up earth as heaven

Did they come to visit it.
" Nine thousand with nine score

And nine are the saints, as I recall,

Not feeble their daily invocation,

Who rest beyond under the Taraill

* Most probably it is De Lacy's Castle.

54 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

in sucli a fantastic fashion, as that it cannot be said to be either
lying or standing, and yet presenting such a pile of huge masses
of dangerously inclining stonework, as to remind one of the
Leaning Tower at Pisa. It holds its threatening and unsteady
position on a rath or mound, surroxmded by a fosse. However,
if we closely examine and compare them with other similar
ruins, or with existing monasteries in Europe, I think that,
even in their decayed and crimibling condition, we shall find
much to admire and console us for the loss they bespeak. Just
as our grief is sometimes alleviated by looking on the portraits
of departed friends and recalling their virtues, so, too, these
imroofed edifices remind us of the saintly and fair forms, the
kindly and edifying demeanour, ever- dauntless courage and
self-sacrifice, of the good friends and fathers who lived and
ruled here, and thus bring consolation to our hearts. But their
home is now deserted and unroofed.* The noise of royal car-
riages and the voices of royal visitors are no longer heard around
the sacred spot. The procession of pale-faced, ascetic monks,
clothed in the rough garments of the early ages, moving out
slowly and solemnly to meet the dead bodies of kings, nobles,
and chieftains, and convey them to their quiet graves, amidst
the harmonious chanting of the psalms and prayers for the dead,
is no more seen.

Cluain is entitled to reverence.
For its tower and its Grianan ;
Nor should be omitted in our poem
The beautiful Beaman of Ciaran.

' The blessing of the Keeper of the Beaman,
And the blessing of Ciaxan of Cluain,
Both descend alike
Upon every repentant head.

' His Bachall and his.Ceolan,
And his Mata-malla,
And his gospel of friendship,
Are not without comfort to chiefs.

' The noble Omach
Which accompanies the men of Edar,
And the victorious Boban,
It is a jewel of hostings.

' To partake of the rightful privileges
Of all these relics,
Hasten to the holy shrine.
Ye Kings and royal Chiefs."

— Monasticcm Hibernicum,

Edited by Cardinal Moran.

* It is hoped one of these churches will soon be re-roofed for sepulchral
purposes. It is a pity that the most celebrated Campo Santo in ancient
Ireland (almost all the royal families had a burial-plot there) should be without
a mortuary chapel wherein the ceremonial for interment might be performed
accordmg to the full rite.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 55

I.

" Life and Thought have gone away
Side by side,
Leaving door and windows wide ;
Careless tenants they !

II.

' ' All within is dark as night,
In the windows is no light,
And no murmur at the door,
So frequent on its hinge before.

III.
" Come away ; for Life and Thought
Here no longer dwell ;

But in a city glorious —
A great and distant city — have bought

A mansion incorruptible.
Would they could have stayed with us." — Tennyson.

And now I ask the following question : —

Was the Eglais Beg or Little Cliurcli erected at Clonmac-
noise of wood or stone ? Before attempting an answer to this
question, it may be well to observe, that a difference of opinion
exists amongst the most learned investigators in the architec-
tural department of Irish ecclesiastical remains regarding
the period at which building ia stone and mortar was com-
menced in Erinn. On one side we have Sir James Ware and
his very able editor Harris, Sir William Petty, Dr. Thomas
Molyneux, Dr. Ledwich, and the learned Dr. Lanigan as-
serting, and supporting by grave argimients, that the Irish did
not begin to build with stone and mortar until the twelfth cen-
tury. On the other side we have Dr. Petrie and Dr. Matthew
Kelly, of Maynooth, and others of acknowledged learning,
maintaining that the churches of Armagh, in the early part of
the ninth century, were certainly of stone, and that most
probably these churches were the buildings erected by St.
Patrick and his immediate successors.

These same learned writers furthermore maintain that the
abbey and cathedral churches throughout Ireland, from the
introduction of Christianity, were generally of stone. In sup-
port of the former opinion, Harris, in his edition of Ware,
writes as follows : — " Malachy O'Morgair, Archbishop of
Armagh (who died in 1148), was the first Irishman, or at least
one of the first, who began to build with stone and mortar, of
which his contemporary, St. Bernard, gives this account : —
'Malachy thought it incumbent on him to build a~ -chapel of
stone at Bangor, like those he had seen in other countries ; and
when he began to lay the foundation of it, some of the natives
were astonished at the novelty, because such buildings were
never seen before in that country.' "

And a few words after, he introduces an ill-natured fellow.

56 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH,

and puts this speech, in his mouth: — "'What has come over
you, good man, that you should undertake to introduce such a
novelty in our coimtry ? We are Scots — i.e. Irishmen — not
Gauls. What levity is this ? What need is there of such a
proud and unnecessary work ? How will you, who are but a
poor man, find means to finish it ? And who will Kve to see it
brought to perfection ?"

We also find an accoimt, given by the same St. Bernard,
that the same St. Malachy had, some years before, built a chapel
in the same place, made, indeed, of planed timber, but well
jointed and compactly put together, and, for a Scottish (that is,
an Irish) work, elegant enough. And Sir William Petty has
written, in his " Political Anatomy of Ireland," c. 5, p. 25 : —
" There is at this day no monument or real argument that when
the Irish were first invaded (by the Anglo-Normans) they had
any stone housing at all, any monej^, any foreign trade, nor any
learning, but the Legends of the Saints, Psalters, Missals,
Rituals, &c. ; nor geometry, astronomy', anatomy, architecture,
engineering, painting, carving, nor any kind of manufacture,
nor the least use of navigation or the military art."

Dr. Molyneux and Dr. Ledwich follow up the same line of
argument, and bring to their aid the Venerable Bede, who stated
that Finian, who had been a monk at the monastery of lona,
after he was made Bishop of Lindisfame, " built a church fit
for his episcopal see, not of stone, but altogether of sawn wood,
covered with reeds, after the Scotic, i.e., the Irish manner."
Fecit ecclesiam episcopali sedi congruam, quam tamen more
Scotonmi non de lapide sed de robore secto, totam composuit
atque harundine texit. Besides, they cite a passage from the
writings of Tirechen, on the Life of St. Patrick, preserved in the
Book of Armagh, a MS. supposed to be of the seventh century,
in which the following statement is found : — " When Patrick
went up to the place which is called Poirgea of the Sons of
Awley, to divide it among the sons of Awley, he built there a
quadrangular church of moist earth, because wood was not near
at hand." "Et ecce Patricius perrexit ad agrum qui dicitur
Foirrgea, filiorum Amolingid et fecit ibi ecclesiam terrenam de
nimio quadratam quia non prope erat silva." And in the life
of St. Monena, compiled in the twelfth century by Conchubran,
and quoted by Ussher, it is stated that she founded a monastery,
which was made of smooth timber, according to the fashion of
the Scotic nations, who were not accustomed to erect stone walls
or get them erected. "E lapide enim sacras aedes efficere tam
Scotis quam Britonibus morem fuisse insolitimi exBeda quoque,
didicimus, indeque in S. Monnenae monasterio, ecclesiam con-
structam fuisse, notat Conchubranus, tabidis de dolatis, juxta

CLOXMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 57

morem Scoticarum gentmm ; eo quod macerias Scoti iioii solent
facere nee factas habere." Eveu the learned Dr. Lanigan, so
anxious to uphold the fame of ancient Ireland, wrote the
following words : — " Prior to those of the twelfth century, we
find very few monuments of ecclesiastical architecture in Ire-
land. This is not to be wondered at, because the general fashion
of the country was to erect their buildings of wood, a fashion
which in great part continues to this day in several parts of
Europe, and, consequently, as their churches also were usually
built of wood, it cannot be expected that there should be any
remains of such churches at present." Such being the opinion
of the learned and laborious Dr. Lanigan, it can scarcely be
wondered at that the English and Scottish writers on architec-
tural ecclesiastical antiquities should have laid it down as a
fact that the Irish were unacquainted with the art of building
with lime and stone previously to the Anglo-Norman invasion.
They furthermore have asserted that the Irish monks who settled
in iona, in the sixth century, were wholly unacquainted with
buildings in stone and mortar. Thus Pinkerton, vol. ii., p. 141,
writes: — "Ancient monuments of the British Scotch there are
none, save cairns of stones used as sepulchres and as memorials.
These were adapted to Celtic indolence, while the Gothic in-
dustry raised vast stones instead of piling small ones ; nor are
any cairns found in Gothic countries, so far as I can learn,
except such as are very large. The Celtic churches, houses, &c.,
were all of wattles, as are the barns at this day in the Hebrides,
so that no ruins can be found of them. The early cathedral of
Iona must have been of this sort, and it was burned by the
Danes in the ninth century. The present ruin is not older than
the thirteenth century. In the twelfth century, St. Bernard
represents a stone church as quite a novelty even in Ireland."

To this formidable phalanx of writers against stone churches
in Ireland before the thirteenth century, Dr. Petrie opposes
himself, supported, as many think, by most able and conclusive
arguments. Before I attempt to produce any of them, it may
be well to observe that he admits the Scotic mode of building
with wood prevailed generally in Ireland up to the twelfth or
thirteenth century in respect to a particular class of buildings,
i.e., monastic houses and oratories.

In the next place, I have to observe that the learned Doctor
joins issue with his opponents only on this one question, namely,
the materials of which the Irish churches were composed up to
the twelfth or thirteenth century. They say, of wood ; he says,
no, but of stone, at least in the churches connected with bishop-
rics and abbacies. I shall now put forth some of his proofs.
In the Annals of Ulster and of the Four Masters, we find at the

58 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

year 1125 the following statement : — " Operimentmn factum et
optimum tectum et istud tectum integre super ecclesiam cathe-
dralem lapideam magnam Ardmachanam postea totum tegulis
coopertum a Celso vicario Patricii, in trigessimo anno supra
centessimimi, a quo non fuit tegulis contectimi totum." a.d.
1125, Four Masters : " Quinto Id. Januarii operimentum factum
et tectum integrum factum supra ecclesiam cathedralem lapi-
deam magnum Ardmachanam, postea totum tegulis coopertum a
Celso Yicario Patritii, in trigessimo anno supra centessimum ex
quo non fuit tegulis opertum totum usque ad id." And Colgan
writes, a.d. 1125 : — " Quinto Idus Jan. tegulis integre con-
tecta et restaurata est ecclesia Cathedralis Ardmacana per sanctum
Celsum Archiepiscopum postquam per annos centum triginta
non nisi ex parte fuisset contecta." Hence it follows that the
great church of Armagh, burned in 995, was a stone building,
and remained without a roof for one hundred and thirty years.
It also follows that it was a church of considerable magnitude.
This statement is confirmed by the Four Masters and Colgan, in
his " Acta Sanctorum," cap. 14 ; also in the Annals of Armagh,
where we are told that Gelasius, Archbishop of Armagh, erected
a lime-kiln of enormous size for the purpose of repairing, not
building, the churches, a.d. 1145 : " A lime-kiln, which was
sixty feet every way, was erected opposite Eamhain-macha by
GillamacKag, successor of St. Patrick, and Patrick's clergy in
general." In the Annals of Ulster it is written, a.d. 839 : •
" Combustio Ardmachae cum Nosocomiis {i.e. oratoriis), et eccle-
siis lapideis suis." The Annals of the Four Masters record the
same sad event as committed by the Danes in the same year,
and use the Irish word Damhliag. Now, the best Irish scholars
admit this word to signify a stone structure, in fact, a stone
church. The Annals of Clonmacnoise, at the year 837, tell us
of the same burning, and use the same Irish word. Colgan,
A.D. 839, writes : " Ardmacha cum sua Basilica aliisque sacris
aedibus incenditur per Northmanos."

Now Irish writers on such subjects as that under considera-
tion have used the Latin words ecclesia, templum. Basilica, to
express what the word Damhliag does in the Irish language,
but never to express a wooden building. The best Irish scholars
have also used Cill, egleis or ecleis Tempull Regies, as synony-
mous with Damhliag and ecclesia and Basilica. They used a
different word, i.e., Duirteach, to express another class of build-
ings, i.e., wooden, which is rendered into Latin by the word
oratorium. Hence the conclusion follows that not only where
the early Irish churches are referred to by our Annalists, over
the words Damhliag, Cill, ecleis, tempull, we are to infer the
structure was of stone.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 59

Petrie proves these assertions, by copious references to the
Four Masters of Ulster, and of Tigernach, at the years 839, 890,
907, 915, but principally at 1020, where reference is made to the
great stone church of Armagh. It appears, therefore, beyond
all reasonable doubt, that there was a stone church at Armagh,
in the middle of the ninth century. Moore, who generally
followed the opinion of Harris and his school, in his dissertation
against those who attributed the erection of the churches of
Glendalough to the Danes, maintains that from the year 788,
at least, the Irish had stone churches. Petrie continues his argu-
ment thus — " It has been already shown that, in the ninth cen
tury, there was a great stone church at Armagh." Now, there
are strong reasons for supposing it was the very church erected
by St. Patrick. The most ancient annalists and biographers of
St. Patrick admit that he built a cathedral of considerable
dimensions at Armagh, in the year 444 or 445. Its extent is
given in the Tripartite Life, ascribed even to the sixth century.
" Istis nam que diebus sanctissimus Antistes metatus est locum
et jecit fundamenta ecclesiae Ardmachanae juxta formam et
modimi ab angelo praescriptum. Dum autem fieret haec funda-
tio et metatio formae et quantitatis ecclesiae aedificandae,
collecta synodus Antistitum Abbatum aliorumque universi regni
Praelatorum et facta processione ad metas designandas proces-
serunt, Patricio cum baculo Jesu in manu, totum clerum et
angelo Dei tanquam ductore et directore Patricium praecedenti.
Statuit autem Patricius juxta Angeli praescriptum quod mtirus
ecclesiae in longitudine contineret centum quadriginta pedes
(forte passus) aedificium sive aula major triginta, culina septem
pedes. Et hae sacrae aedes omnes juxta has mensuras sunt
postea erectae." The dimensions of the church built by St.
Patrick, and that which is known to have been of stone in 838,
being the same, may it not fairly be inferred that the church
burned by the Danes, in the ninth century, was the original
church built by our Apostle in the fifth century. This conclu-
sion is strengthened by Plann, of the monastery, in his great
poem on the members of St. Patrick's household. In this in-
teresting account, still preserved in the Book of Lecan, the
following allusion is made to the Saint's masons : —

" His three masons good was their intelligence,
Coemau, Cruithneck, Luchraid, strong
They made Damhliags first
In Erinn, eminent their history."

There is another argimaent contained in the Ofl&ce of St.
Cianan, as given by Colgan. It is found in the following
words : — " St. Cianan built a church of stone in this place, i.e..

60 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Duleek, county Meatli, and from thence it took the name of
Damhliag (i.e., Duleek), for before this time the churches of
Ireland were built of wattles and boards. This was certainly-
one of the first churches built in Ireland of stone and cement.
Xow Tighernach, an annalist of undoubted authority, of whom
I intend to write something later on, because he belonged to
Clonmacnoise and was one of its greatest scholars, tells us that
Cianan was consecrated a bishop by St. Patrick, and that he
died in the year 490, three years before the Apostle himself.
He fiirthermore assures us that Cianan obtained high favour
with the Apostle, from whom he received a copy of the Gospels,
as a mark of especial esteem and friendship." Tirechan, in his
Annals, has the following passage — " De ecclesiis quas fundavit
in Campo Breg, primum in Ciilmine ; 2nd, ecclesiae Cerne in
qua sepidtus est Hercus qui porta-sdt, mortaKtatem magnam ;
3rd, in cacumiuibus Aisse ; 4th, in Blaitiniu ; 5th, in Collumbos
in qua ordinavit Eugenium sanctum episcopum ; 6th, aecclesia
filio Laithphi ; 7th, in Bridam in qua fuit sanctus dulcis frater
Carthaci ; 8th, super Argetbor in qua Kannanus episcopus quem
ordinavit Patricius in primo Pascha." From this it appears
certain that the church of Duleek was the eighth stone church
erected under the superA'ision of St. Patrick, in the plain of
Bregia. A few other stone churches were probably erected,
about that period. But there does not appear to be sufficient
e"sddence to warrant the opinion that the Eglais Beg was one
of them.

Petrie and 0 'Donovan think there is no stone building at
Clonmacnoise older than the tenth century. Moreover, Clon-
macnoise abounded in woods, whilst there is no stone quarry
Avithin three Irish miles. Besides the planting of the pole, by
the king and saint, bespeaks a wooden edifice.

Mr. O'Donovan visited Clonmacnoise in 1838, and wrote in.
that same year some very valuable letters regarding it from
Banagher, where he stayed whilst engaged on the Ordnance
survey of that part of the King's County. These letters are
preserved in manuscript in the Poyal Irish Academy, where I
have been permitted to see them. He states confidently that
there are no remains of any building at Clonmacnoise as old as
St. Ciaran ; that there is no church there as old as St. Fechin's
of Fore, or St. Mel's of Ardagh, or any of the seven churches
at Inis-clothran, in Loughrea; nor as old as the church at
Banagher, Co. Derry. The following are the names of the
chui'ches and towers at Clonmacnoise : —

1st. The Cathedral, or Coghlan's Church, as it is called, on
account of its having been repaired in 1647 by the Yery Rev.
Charles Coghlan at his own expense. A mural slab in the

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES, 61

north--western wall has inscribed upou it the following words : —
"Carolus Coghlan Vicarius Generalis Clonmacnoise, propriis
impendiis, banc dirutam ecclesiam restoravit, a.d. 1647."

Here it may be interesting to give the following particulars
regarding the family of Charles Coghlan, or MacCoghlan, who
was a distinguished member of it. for he was of the MacCoghlan
sept, lords of Dealbhna Eathre or Delvin Ahra, in ancient Meath.
The extent of their country was very considerable. It com-
prised the greater portion of the present barony of Garrycastle.
The name Dealbhna is derived, according to O'Donovan, from
tribes of the Dalcassian race, who took the name from Cas, an-
cestor of the O'Brien tribe of North Munster. The MacCoghlans
were chiefs of great influence and importance in former times.
The Annals of the Four Masters, a.d. 1548, place the castles of
Ceann Coradh (Kincor) and Feadhan (Fadden) and the monas-
tery of Gallen in their territory, and state that the English
plundered that part of it extending from Bealach an fhothair
to the Togher of Ceannmona. It appears, therefore, their ter-
ritory comprised at least the tract from the townland of Bal-
laghanoher, in the parish of Banagher, to the above-named
Togher, in the parish of Lemonaghan. Connal McGreoghegan
places Lumcloon Castle in the parish of Gallen, in this territory,
and septs of the MacCoghlans at licackagh, in the parish of
Lemanaghan, Clondowna, now Clonony and Boynean. In the
inquisition taken at Castle Geashill, 23rd October, 1612, Esker
Castle is placed in the territory of Delvin MacCoghlan. Inqui-
sition taken at Kilcormack, 1617, found the townland of Clon-
gowney, parish of Banagher, in the territory of Delvin
MacCoghlan. Colgan, Acta SS., p. 382, places Kilcolgan in
the parish of Ferbane, in the same territory. The same writer,
in his Life of St. Canoe, patron of the parish of Cloghan, places
the monastery of Gallen in the MacCoghlan territory. Tradi-
tion in the country styles them MawCoghlans of the fair Castles
of Garrycastle, and states that the following castles belonged to
them: — The castles (1) of Clonlyon; (2) Clonmacnoise; (3)
Lemanaghan ; (4) Clonony ; (5) Lackaghmore, in the parish of
Lemanaghan ; (6) Kilcolgan, Ferbane ; (7) Lisclooney, in Ti-
saran ; (8) Coole Castle, near Ferbane (Sir John Coghlan lived
here in 1590); (9) Garrycastle, in Banagher Parish; (10)
Streamstown, in the same parish; (11) Fadden Castle, in Lus-
magh Parish. It is, therefore, evident that the country of
" the Maw" was very extensive. He is thus alluded to by
O'Dugan : —

" MacCoghlan is the valorous mainstay
And prince of delightful Delvin Ahra."

In 1551 a great Court was held in Athlone, to which

62 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

MacCoghlan went, and there obtained his pardon and letters
patent to his patrimonial estate or inheritance, and Delvin
Eathra became tributary to the king.

The last descendant of this ancient sept who held any posi-
tion similar to that of his great ancestors was Thomas Coghlan,
commonly called "the Maw." He died without issue in the
year 1790. He represented the King's County for several years
in the Irish Parliament. Colonel de Montmorency thus de-
scribes him . — " Thomas Colgan, Esq., ' the Maw,' that is,
Mac, for he was not known in his own territory by any other
appellation, was a remarkably handsome man, gallant, eccentric,
proud, satirical, hospitable in the extreme, and of expensive
habits. In disdain of modern times, he adhered to the national
customs of Ireland and the modes of living practised by his
ancestors. His house was ever open to strangers ; his tenants
held their lands at will, and paid their rents according to the
ancient fashion, partly in kind and the remainder in money.
The Maw levied the fines of mortmain when a vassal died. He
became heir to the defunct farmer, and no law was admissible
or practised within the precincts of MacCoghlan's domain but
such as savoured of the Brehon code. It must be observed,
however, that most commonly the Maw's commands, enforced
by the impressive application of his horsewhip, instantly decided
a litigated point. With him perished the rude grandeur of his
long-drawn line. His vast estates passed to the son of his sister,
the late Right Hon. Bowes Daly, of Dalystown, Co. Galway,
who likewise had no children, and who, shortly before his death
in 1821, sold the MacCoghlan estate to divers persons.

Many of his days were passed in the pleasant towns of
Banagher and Cloghan, in the neighbourhood of which so
many of MacCoghlan's celebrated castles and strongholds are
still to be seen.

The Last Will of John Coghlan.

" In the name of God, Amen. To all about to inspect the
present writing, the Pastor, Curates of the Parish of Fuire
(Wheery), greeting in the Lord. We make known that, in
the presence of us and of the undersigned witnesses, for this
purpose specially called and requested, and for this purpose
personally appointed, an honest, honourable man, John Coghlan,
Knight, my parishioner, lying in the bed of sickness, infirm of
body, but sound of mind, weighing and considering that the life
of man is short upon earth, that nothing is more certain than
death, but nothing more uncertain than the hour, desiring to
provide for the situation of his soul and to arrive at the joys of

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 63

eternal life, has made his icill and last testament, and arranged
it in manner and form followang : —

" Imprimis, he commends his soul to the Most High God,
his Creator, when it shall depart from his body, and his body to
the worms of the earth, wishing it to be inhumed in the Church
of the Blessed Virgin of Raonach (Ee}Tiagh). Next he has
willed and arranged all his debts to be paid formally and dis-
charged to the persons to whom they are due. Item, the said
testator has bequeathed all the goods conferred on him by God
to the Church of Cluainmicnois, for the health of his soid, a cow.
Item, to John, the son of Hugh, the priest, a cow. Item, to the
Churches of Gallin Fuire (Wheery), Techsarajoi (Tisaran), and
Roanach (Reynagh) he has bequeathed two cows. Item, to the
Church of Lea Manchan, a yoimg cow. Item, he has bequeathed
to Margaret Donadi four large cows and four small ones. Item,
he has ordered that Solomon MacEgan should not be disturbed
as long as he lives in the half quarter of Cuil (Cool), thus left
him by his father Arthur. Item, he leaves the Castle of Coole
and the rest of the same village to the Lady Margaret his wife,
as long as she lives unmarried ; but should she marry, let it be
restored to John Coghlan, the son of Sabina, the daughter of
Dalachan, as is just, according to the tenor of the intention of
the feofment of all other feudal fiefs (tenures). Item, he has
granted long since to the said John all his unbroken steeds,
horses, plate, coats of mail, pots, and all his arms, flasks, and all
his other utensils made of tin, and the great patena which he
lately got by hereditary right from his mother, which donation
he now confirms to him. Finally, he has ordered that these his
horses be given to the Lady tfnina, Una, or "VYinny, to wit,
Falfrida, Nigra, and Brunda, Item, he has ordered that what-
ever other of movable goods, corn in the blade, cattle, and fur
niture he may have, be divided into three equal parts, and given,
one part to the lady his wife, the other to his daughters Rosina
and Dorothea (Dolly), and the third part to John, son of the
aforesaid, with six silver vases, which are called in English
torma (ten dishes), and with two Cyj)hi (silver cups), purchased
and made in his (testator's) own name, which eight vessels are
not computed in the division. Item, he has ordered that the
profits of four quarters' tythes, which he lately had in farm for
five years, should be divided and given, the third part to the
aforesaid lady (his wife), and the remainder to the said John
and his mother, and this with the usual incumbrances. And
for the performance (observance) of all and singular the pre-
mises, the said testator has nominated as his executors Patrick
Hogay, Archdeacon of Killaloe (Laonsnsem), John Coghlan,
the son of Sabina Dalachan, and Hugh Daly. To which exe-

64 I^IOCESE 01- ARDAGii.

cutors, for fulfilling all and singular the premises, tlie said
testator has made over all his goods whatsoever and whereso-
ever, revoking every other icill, if any has been by him made,
and wishing that this his uill should receive confirmation in the
best way, mode, and form in which it could and ought to pre-
vail. In testimony of which I, Cormac Dalachan, the aforesaid
Curate, have affixed my sign manual to the present loill. It was
made in the house of Solomon MacEgan,* in the village of
Coole (Guile), in the year of our Lord 1590, 10th July.

Cormac Dalachan, witness, Curate.

" These underwritten were the witnesses at the time of
making this will.

" John Douis, a priest. "Witness.

" I am NiAL O'Sheill. I am IIugh O'Sheii-l, a witness.

" It was proved by the oath of Hugh Dalachan."

The above is the translation of the will given by O'Donovan.
The original is in Latin.

N.B. — The first mention of the O'Flahillys, afterwards
MacCoghlans, in the Four Masters, is so late as the year 1136.
How long before that year this Dalcassian tribe had obtained a
settlement for themselves east of the Shannon, O'Donovan was
unable to determine.

The church which the Very Eev. Charles Coghlan restored
was anciently called

TEMPLE MacDERMOTT.

The " Annals of Clonmacnoise " state that, in the year 1100,
" the shingles and lower end of the wall of the great church, called
by some MacDermott's Church, which had been begun by
Cormac MacConnamacboct, were this year repaired and com-
pleted by Flathnertagh O'Loyngsy." Local tradition states
that it was called MacDermott's Church because a family of
that name purchased a burial-place in it. Mr. O'Donovan
states explicitly that it seemed to him somewhat odd that the
great cathedral of Clonmacnoise should be called after the
MacDermotts of Moylurgf Mr. O'Donovan also thinks that
this church is the most modern of them all, and in all its parts,
with the exception of one narrow, roimd-headed window and a
stone-roofed chamber, which it lights.

* Solomon MacEgan was the Brehon of the district.

t The Registry of Clonmacnoise states that Tomultach MacDermott, Chief
of Moylurg, repaired or built the great Church of Clonmacnoise at his own
coat. He died in 1336.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 65

The second church is called

TEMPLE-RI, OR O'MELAGLIN'S CHURCH,

^nd it lies immediate^ to the south-east of the cathedral, and
has the round tower called M'Carthy's Tower tying on its north
■Hide— i.e. between it and Athlone. This is the oldest church of
the group, it having been unquestionably erected before the
introduction of the pointed or Gothic style into this country.
Archdall is of opinion that it was erected at the expense of
Flann Sionna, King of Meath, and he places the date of its
erection in 909, and thus it is called Temple-Ri.

"909. — In this year Flann Sionna, King of Meath, and
Abbot Colman MacAillealla founded a church of stone here,
which was called the Church of the Kings."

Mr. O'Donovan thinks, notwithstanding Petrie's opinion to
the contrary, that this is O'Melaghlin's Church.

TEMPLE-KELLY

is the third church, and it lies east and by north of the cathedral,
and is now level with the ground. This was the mausoleum of
the O'Kellys of Hy-Many. According to Archdall, Connor
O'Kelly and the Hy-Many sept erected a church here, in the
stead of the Jlospital, in the year 1167,

TEMPLE-KIERAN

is the fourth church, and it lies immediately to the east of the
site of Temple-Kelly. It is a very small church.

TEMPLE-DOWLING, OB HURPAN,

is the fifth church, and is the most modern of the group, and
lies south of the cathedral. It was rebuilt in the seventeenth
century, and in Archdall's time was used as the Protestant
church of the parish.

TEMPLE-FINNIAN, OR FINNEEN,

is the sixth church. It lies to the north of the cathedral,
and at the boundary wall which encloses the cemetery. The
smaller round tower is attached to it, which some writers
say was erected by Fingin MacCarthy, Prince of Desmond.
The following passages, taken from the Four Masters, seem
to negative this statement : — " Gorman, who had spent one
year over Tobar-Fingin, died on his pilgrimage, at Clon-
macnoise, a.d. 610." The well of Fingin is still in existence,
•and near this tower. It is thought this well, church, and tower

G6 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

have been named from tlie same Fingin ; and if lie be Finneen
MacCartliy, how could the well have been called Tobar-Fingin
in the year 610. Moreover, Tigernagh flourished before
MacCarthy Fingin was born. The "Chronicon Scotorum" has-
the following passage : — " A great storm happened in this year
(1015), the greatest that had occurred in those times, by which
the great oak of Reglis Fingin, at Clonmacnoise, was pros-
trated." I cannot find a record of Fingin MacCarthy in any of
our Irish Annals. O'Donovan thinks this church, one beautiful
arch of which still exists, was erected in the eleventh or begin-
ning of the twelfth century, together with the round tower,,
which is so well adapted to it. The learned Petrie thinks it is
as old as the beginning of the tenth century. The other churches,
are shown on the map. The remains of them are very scanty
indeed.

O'ROEKE'S TOWER

is the larger tower of Clonmacnoise, and lies north-west of the
cathedral.* This tower was erected at the expense of O'Eorke,
Prince of Breffny. O'Donovan thinks it no older than the-
twelfth century, when O'Malone Coarb, of St. Kieran, finished
the erection of the Cloictheach. " The completion of the Cloic-
theach {turns) by O'Malone Coarb, of St. Kieran, a.d. 1124." —
Four Masters.

1135. — " The Cap (Benn-cover) of the Cloictheach of Clon-
macnoise was knocked off by Kghtning."

Dr. O'Conor thinks that O'Malone only repaired the cap of
the tower this year ; and O'Donovan confidently states that the
Irish verb, used in the Four Masters, signifies not to repair, but
to finish, complete. O'Donovan thinks it was often repaired
since 1135, and that no conclusive argument can be brought
forward to show that it is older than 1124.

There is extant a charming little poem, composed by Erard
MacCoisi, in lamentation of the death of Fear gal O'Rorke, who
was killed in the Battle of Clontarf, 1014. In it MacCoisi
represents as prostrate on the royal tomb *'the flag of kings,""
on which gold was glittering. If there is any truth in this
poem, the O'Rorkes must have had a tomb at Clonmacnoise
long before the round tower was erected by O'Malone, Petrie,
however, who is a higher authority, thinks the erection of this
tower is as old as the year 908, and that tradition afterwards-
connected the names of O'Rorke and O'Malone with it, on

* In May, 1865, by means of private subscriptions, the greater Round
Tower and the ruined churches of Clonmacnoise were (somewhat) repaired,
and places of safety provided for the detached sculptured stones and ancient
monuments, under the supervision of the Rev. Charles Vignoles, Rector of the
Parish, and the Rev. James Graves, Hon. Sec, Royal Arch. Soc, Kilkenny.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 67

account of restorations made by them, which circumstances had
rendered necessary or useful. See Petrie, pp. 392 and 393.

The Registry of Clonmacnoise ascribes its erection to Fergal
O'E-orke, King of Connaught, about the middle of the tenth
century.

This tower is constructed of a fine sandstone, and its masonry
is laid in regular courses, except about twenty feet of the upper
portion, which is of coarse masonry of undressed Kmestone, and
which, Kke the upper part of the round tower of Tullaherin, in
the County of Kilkenny, and some others, is evidently the work
of a later period than the lower part. It rests, as usual, on a
Ijrojecting circular plinth, and measures fifty- six feet in circimi-
ference at its base. Its present height is but sixty-two feet, in
addition to which we must allow about seventeen feet for the
conical roof, which is now wanting ; but there is no reason to
doubt that it was originally one of the highest of its kind in
Ireland ; for, as I have already remarked, it was obviously not
restored to its original altitude when the present upper portion
was re- erected. The wall is three feet nine inches in thickness.
The interior exhibits rests for four storej^s, including that on a
level with the doorway, and beneath which there was a fifth
storey, not lighted. The second and third storeys are each
lighted by a single quadrangular aperture, and the upper storey,
as in the Tower of Tullaherin, contains eight openings of the
same form. The doorway is five feet three inches in height,
two feet three inches in width immediately under the imposts,
and two feet six inches at the sill. The keystone and those
forming the imposts extend the entire thickness of the wall, as
does the sill-stone also, which is five feet in length. Some say
a church was attached to this tower. There are, however, no
remains of it at present.

Here I may, perhaps, fittingly reproduce Petrie's conclusions
regarding the origin and uses of the Irish Round Towers : —

I. That the towers are of Christian and ecclesiastical origin,
and were erected at various periods between the fifth and thir-
teenth centuries.

II. That they were designed to answer at least a twofold
use, namely, to serve as belfries and as keeps or places of strength,
in which the sacred utensils, books, relics, and other valuables
were deposited, and into which the ecclesiastics to whom they
belonged could retire for security in cases of sudden predatory
attack.

III. That they were probably also used, when occasion re-
quired, as beacons and watch-towers.

Several eminent writers, such as Ledwich, Moljnieux, Pin-
kerton, Montmorenci, and Sir Walter Scott, advocated these

G8 UIOCESE OF AIIDAGII.

conclusions, adopted by Petrie, and for whicli lie lias advanced
the following arguments : —

1. The towers are never found unconnected with ancient
ecclesiastical foundations.

2. Their architectural styles exhibit no features or peculiari-
ties not equally found in the original churches with which they
are locally connected, when such remain.

3. On several of them Christian emblems are observable,
and others display in the details a style of architecture univer-
sally acknowledged to be of Christian origin.

4. They possess invariably architectural features not found
in any buildings in Ireland ascertained to be of pagan times.

For the second conclusion, namelj'-, that they were intended
to serve the double purpose of belfries and keeps or castles, for
the uses already specified : —

1. Their architectural construction, as will appear, eminently
favours this conclusion.

2. A variety of passages, extracted from our annals and
other authentic documents, will prove that they were constantly
applied to both these purposes.

For the third conclusion, namely, that they may also have
been occasionally used as beacons and watch-towers : —

1. There are some historical evidences which render such a
hyjDothesis extremely probable.

2. The necessity which must have existed in early Christian
times for such beacons and watch-towers, and the perfect fitness
of the Round Towers to answer such purposes, will strongly
support this conclusion.

TEMPLE-CONOR

is the eighth ruin, and it is attached to the modern Protestant
Church, and does not seem very ancient. See Petrie and the
Registry of Clonmacnoise for the further history of this eh urch.
See also Appendix.

Ware shows ten churches in his map of the cemetery of
Clonmacnoise, but eight only remain to this day, i.e., seven and
((VMaio'^ne^s) towcr, to wMch, probably, a church was anciently
attached. The Eglais Beg to which the Four Masters refer at the
years 947 and 977, cannot be identified just now. They also
refer at 1050 to Crosna Scraptra, the Cross of the Scriptures,
which some think was a church in the form of a cross. There is
no local tradition of this supposed church. At the year 1026,
reference is made to a^'causewat/ or ^javement extending from the
garden of the Abbess to the Carn of the three crosses. This can
still be traced ; the Carn has disappeared, but the crosses still
remain, two in good preservation, and the third one mutilated.

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEX CHURCHES. 69

In 1087, ArcMall, citing MacGeogliegan, records, "that the
Abbot Connor MacConnamaboght did purchase/or ever Iselcieran,
or the hospital of St. Kieran, from Donnell MacFloynO'MelaghKn,
King of Meath." But O'Donovan thinks that Isel-Chiaran was
a tract of low-lying country which belonged to Clonmacnoise.
It is difficult to understand what could have been the meaning
of the abbot purchasing the hospital of Clonmacnoise from the
king. According to Archdall, citing MacGeoghegan, O'Kelly's
Church occupied the site of Isel-Chiaran; but O'Donovan thinks
this is one of Archdall' s blunders, and that what MacGeoghegan
meant was to convey that the lands of Isil-Chiaran — or the
hospital lands — belonged to Clonmacnoise.

At the years 1135 and 1205, Four Masters, reference is made
to the/or^ of the abbot. This is, probably, the fort within which
the old castle of Clonmacnoise stands, and 7na2/ have been Be
Lacy 8 Castle. On Easter Monday in this year, i.e. 1135, the town
of Clonmacnoise, with the Church of Moriegh O'Duffie and the
jjlace called Lisean Abbey, were both consumed by an accidental
tire. — MacGeoghegan.

Archdall states, on the authority of the Annals of the Island
of All Saints, that a castle was erected by the English at Clon-
macnoise, in 1214. This castle is now to be seen in ruins within
a kind of dun or rath. Reference is made by the Four Masters
to a causeway from the garden of the Abbess, which was made by
the Abbot Breasal Conailla, as far as the Carn of the three crosses,
A.D. 1024. Devorgilla, the daughter of Moroght O'Melaghlin,
King of Meath, and wife of Tiernan O'Rorke,* repaired the
church of the nunnery of Clonmacnoise, a.d. 1170. — Mac-
Geoghegan. And, in 1180, the same church of the nunnery was
consumed by fire, accidentally. The houses adjoining were also
destroyed by the same cause. The causeway can still be traced,
and the nunnery itself has been dug out of the mound which
covered and concealed it until Eev. Mr. Graves, in the summer
of 1865, by aid of subscriptions, employed some workmen to
make excavations, which resulted in the restoration of the fallen
choir, arch, and door of this church ; re-erected in 1167, St.
Griollan had founded this nunnery centuries before.

* Tiernan O'Rorke, Lord of Breffni and Conmacne, a man of great power
for a lor.g time, was treacherously slain by Hugo de Lacy and Donnell, the son
of Annadh O'Rorke. They beheaded him, and conveyed his head and body
ignominiously to Dublin. The head was placed over the gate of the fortress
which then was on the hill where Dublin Castle now stands. Devorgilla, his
wife, was the immediate cause of the invasion of Ireland. She died in the
Monastery of Drogheda, a.d. 1193, at the age of ninety-five. She was in her
sixty-fourth year at her husband's death, and in her forty-fourth when she
eloped with Dermot, King of Leinster, in 1152, who was then in his sixty-second
^ear.

70 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

TOBAR KIERAN, as well as TOBAR FINNEEN,

still remain. The former is in a field by the roadside to Shannon
Bridge, and about an eighth of a mile from the Churches, and
the latter lies on the brink of the Shannon, close to the cemetery,
and opposite St. Finneen's Tower. The Annals of Clonmacnoise
have the following entry, at the year 613 : — " This year came
on a pilgrimage to Cluainmicnois one Gorman, and remained
there a year, and fasted that space on bread and the water of
Fingins Well. He is ancestor to MickConnnamaboght and
Moynter Gorman, and died in Cluain aforesaid."

Visitors to Clonmacnoise will do well by asking for Mr.
Kieran Molloy, who resides in a comfortable farmhouse close to
the cemetery, and is familiar with the traditions regarding this
place. His ancestors settled there centuries ago, and were
highly respected in the neighbourhood, as he himself now is.
The following particulars regarding his family may be interest-
ing to some, coming, as they do, from persons well known to
fame : —

Letter of Mr. Petrie to John O'Donovan, Esq.

l^th January, 1838.
My dear John,

I rise up in a sick bed to endeavour to write you a few lines.
I should have written you during the week, but I was totally
xmable. If my worthy friend and entertainer, Pat. MoUoy, be
still at the " Churches or Clonmacnoise," I woidd advise you to
stop with him, and I am sure that he and his excellent kind-
hearted wife will take every care of you, and he can give you
much valuable information. Remember me most kindly to them.
I hope to spend a week with them before I die. I wish I were
along with you groping among the inscribed tombs of the kings
and saints of Ireland, the most interesting spot in the British
Empire ; it is so at least to me.

Most sincerely yours,

George Petrie.

That unhappy man, James Stephens, observes in his notes on
a three thousand miles' walk through Ireland : —

I discovered myself in Clonmacnoise, where
I "hired a bed" in the comfortable farmstead of Mr. Molloy, an

CLONMACNOISE, OR THE SEVEN CHURCHES. 71

•octogenarian of wonderful physique. In the course of a long
•conversation with him, I found he knew nearly all the Irish
celebrities of the century. He had, in fact, been the entertainer
of them all. 'No one came to see Clonmacnoise without calling
to see himself. And it was with much interest I watched the
venerable old man, as, with the enthusiasm of second youth, he
would point me out the table where rollicking Sam Lover took
many keenly-relished repasts, and cracked many a characteristic
joke. Here was the chair often occupied by no less a personage
than our great antiquarian Petrie, of round-tower fame, who,
after " doing " the vicinity, would invariably pay his devoirs to
Mr. Molloy, and chat with him on the Firbolgs and the Tuatha
De Danaans. There was the stool on which sat Sir Samuel
Ferguson, the most Celtic poet modern Ireland has produced ;
while scattered through kitchen and parlours, the eyes fell on
articles of furniture, &c., associated with some such other men
and their memories, the majority of Mr. Molloy' s guests having
been poets, orators, statesmen, statisticians or titled folk ; the
vulgus profanum having generally shared as little in his board as
it did in his estimation. And yet no blue blood coursed through
the veins of Mr. MoUoy himself. He was one of the masses,
T3ut belonged to that portion of the masses which directly de-
3)ends for its subsistence on what are called the upper classes,
and held opinions to suit his business. Withal nature's real old
gentleman was Farmer Molloy. His life must have been a
blameless and happy one ; for when I saw him, although he had
then weathered the storms of eighty- three winters. Time appeared
to have dealt lightly with him, and he bore his years with a
Herculean strength. To h^'s hale and hearty constitution he
added a sprightly Celtic character ; an4 his conversation had
peculiar charms, from a sort of subdued humour, which gave zest
without acidity to whatever he said. His wife, who was some
twenty years younger than he, was a fitting helpmate to the
worthy man, and her manners and information appeared to me
to have been above the common level. Three branches had
sprung from the parent stock, two damsels and a stalwart youth.
One of the maidens was a type of Irish beauty, with her raven
hair fringing an elaborate brow, her dark Byronic eyes flashing
fire and humour, her rosebud lips, and that delicate flush purpling
her smooth cheeks — the ensemble giving evidence not alone of
-artistic perfection, but that coy archness for which, I believe,
Irish peasant girls alone are matchless among their sex. Take
the family all in all, I fear it will be long before I look upon
their like again ; and Sir Samuel Ferguson, at present Deputy
Keeper of the Rolls in Dublin, will bear me out when I say that
its members are as good a specimen as possible of the race whose

72 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

county lie himself has so well described in tlie well-knowns
lyric : —

" Oh ! a kindly place is Ireland for
Hospitable cheer,
Where the golden grain is bursting
From the yellow barley ear."

They were most attentive and respectful to me during my
stay among them, and, as I was leaving, the old man volunteered
to accompany me " a piece of the way" along the high road.
What his motive for doing so was, however, I had misinterpreted ;
for I had imagined that he either intended to give me the benefit
of his society for a few moments longer, or wish to point me out
the charms of the neighbourhood. But no ! I had forgotten to-
inscribe my name in the Visitor's Book ; and from my foreign
appearance he had come to the conclusion, perhaps, that I was
a famous Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, a preacher of the Koran,
or an Egyptian guide whose head was full of the Nile and the
forty- centuried Pyramids. I told him my name, and it pained
me to think that so worthy a person should be disappointed at
finding I was nohody. But such ever is the destiny of human
ways. Everyone, even though Oriental be his costume, or
Rabbinic his beard, cannot be immortal nowadays ; and it
would have done the heart of a comedian good to see how the
octogenarian's face grew dismal and lugubrious at his being thus
disconcerted in his expectations, as he toddled back to his home
amid the beeches. And he had good reason to be thus chopfaUen,,
for he despised obscurities, and thought them unworthy his bed
and board ; and I, an obscurity, penetrated into his sanctuary,,
and enjoyed those nights and suppers of the gods under its-
roof, disguised, as mysterious greatness often is, wrapped up in
the mantle of its own almost impenetrable genius. I knew, too,
that his Visitor's Book was as dear to him as the apple of his
eye, and that nothing could give him more ineffable pleasure
than to see its pages illumined by those names whose glories
" echo through the corridors of time." Wherefore was it that
he left, sad and sorrowful, on that genial morning, and supplied
me on my way with a theme for ethical reflection, as I left
Clonmacnoise for Athlone.

Perhaps James Stephens would have dealt more justly with
Mr, MoUoy if he had attributed the change in his guide's
manner to the fact that the old man was a devoted Catholic and
a true lover of his dear native land, and, when told the name of
his guest, recognised him at once as no friend either to Faith or
Fatherland.

CLONMACNOISE AS A SCHOOL. 73

CLONMACXOISE AS A SCHOOL.

Within a century after the death of St. Patrick, writes
Bishop Nicholson, the Irish seminaries had so increased, that
most parts of Europe sent their children to be educated here,
and drew thence their bishops and teachers. An unconquerable
love of learning dominated the Hibernian intellect and heart,
and led the rulers of our colleges in those remote ages to throw
open their doors to men of all tongues and races, and give them
not only education, but also books gratis. The result was an
immigration of thousands of foreigners. The " Litany of Saints,"
composed in the eighth century by St. Aengus, includes the
names not only of Britons, Picts, and Saxons, but also of Gavils,
Germans, Romans, and Eg}^tians, all bm-ied in Ireland. The
tomb of the " Seven Pomans" at Arran, and the Greek church
at Meath, once served by Greek ecclesiastics, may still be seen.
Amongst the most renowned seminaries of those distant ages
was Clonmacnoise. The learning of its masters in philosophy
and the sacred sciences passed into a proverb. Thousands of
students thronged its halls, attracted by their fame. In the
celebrated Paschal controvers}^, Clonmacnoise took a leading
and creditable part. Its masters supported St. Cummian and
the Roman system, and displayed the powers not only of keen
logicians and subtle metaphysicians, but also astonished their
adversaries by their arithmetical and linguistic erudition. It is
also said to have been famous for the skill of its monks in sacred
psalmody, and to have had some of the best choir-masters in
Ireland, In other departments of learning it was still more
famous. In the front of Irish annalists and high above them
ail must be ranked Tigernach, Abbot of Clonmacnoise and
Roscommon as well. Able and distinguished critics, such as
Dr. O' Conor, assert that no country in Europe can boast of an
historian of equal antiquity, learning, and judgment with
Tigernach. " No chronicler," writes this learned author, " more
ancient than Tigernach can be produced by the Northern
nations. Neslor, the father of Russian history, died in 1113;
Suorro, the father of Icelandic history, did not appear until a
century after Neslor ; Kadlubeck, the first historian of Poland,
died in 1223 ; and Stiermau could not discover a scrap of writing
in all Sweden older than 1159." Tigernach was of the Murray
race of Connaught, of which the O'Connors were the chief sept.
He is styled by the "Annals of Innisf alien" a "saoi, or doctor,
in wisdom, learning, and oratory," and the same authority, as .
well as the " Chronicon Scotorum," records his death at the year

74 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

1088 and his burial in Clonmacnoise. He was, unquestionably,
the most distinguished of the Clonmacnoise savans, whether we
regard the variety or extent of his learning, that appeared up
to his time. In his Annals he quotes Eusebius, Orosius, Afri-
canus, Bede, Josephus, St. Jerome, and several other writers of
great eminence. He collated the Hebrew text with the Sep-
tuagint version of the Scriptures, and throughout showed him-
self to be a masterful critic. He is said to have been the first
compiler that computed from the Incarnation of our Lord. He
was familiar with the modes of correcting the Calendar, and
made mention of the Lunar Cycle, and used the Dominical
letter with the Kalends of several years. He was the first to
fix a starting-point for credible and authentic Irish chronology.
Its date he reckoned was that of the founding of the Palace of
Emania, in the North, an event which took place about three
hundred years before the birth of Christ. His famous state-
ment— viz., " Omnia monumenta Scotorum usque Cimboeth in-
certa erant" — is now universally accepted as correct, and the
starting-point of credible and authentic Irish history is de-
iservedly admitted to begin with the glories of the TJltonian
Dynasty of Emania. Tigernach's invaluable book, called his
Annals, may be seen in Trinity College, the Royal Irish Aca-
demy, the British Museum, or the Bodleian Library.

The second great book issued from Clonmacnoise was the
" Chronicum Scotorum" — i.e., The Annals of the[Scotic Eace,
There has been some controversy regarding the authorship of
this great work, but recent discoveries have terminated disputes
amongst learned men on this point. The erudite Professor
Hennessy, M.R.I.A., has clearly shown, in his introduction to
the " Chronicum," collated, translated, and edited by himself,
that it was written at Clonmacnoise, some time in the twelfth
century, by Gilla- Christ O'Malone, Abbot of Clonmacnoise.
This most valuable collection of our history contains an account
of Irish affairs from Adam to the Age of Christ 1150. A copy
of this work may be seen in the collection of the Royal Irish
Academy, classed 23, 0', 8. There is no higher or more accu-
rate authority on Irish historical events than the "Chronicum"
•of Clonmacnoise.

The next imperishable work compiled at Clonmacnoise is
the book entitled the " Annals of Clonmacnoise." It does not
appear certain that the original copy now exists, but there are
some well-authenticated translations There is notably one in
English, made from the Irish, in the year 1627, by Connla
MacEgan, for his friend and kinsman, Torlogh MacCochlan,
Lord of Delvin, whom he addressed in the following words : —
"" To the worthy and of great expectation young gentleman, Mr.

CliONMACNOISE AS A SCHOOL. 75

Terence Coclilan, his brother Conell MacGeoghegan wisheth
long health, -with good success in all his affairs." This great
book may be seen in Trinity College, the Royal Irish Academy,
British Museum, and the Bodleian Library, Oxford, It is
justly reckoned amongst the most precious collections.

There were, moreover, compiled at Clonmacnoise, before the
year 1108, the ancient book called " Leabhar-nah-Uidhre," and
those of Gillananoemh MacConn-na-m Bocht, Archpriest of
Clonmacnoise. These books just named were the principal
sources from which the Four Masters collected their Annals.
That magnificent compilation of historical events relating to
our country may be, with a considerable amoimt of truth, called
an enlarged and improved edition of the " Chronicum" and
"Annals of Clonmacnoise." It may, therefore, be safely af-
firmed that the most certain and unimpeachable authority re-
garding our early history is to be found in the books that were
compiled at Clonmacnoise. In the diocese of Ardagh were com-
piled the "Annals of Kilronan," sometimes erroneously called
the " Annals of Lough Ce." This book is also called the " Book
of the O'Deignans," one of whom took part in the compilation
of the Four Masters. Ardagh can, moreover, claim the " Book
of Lough Ribh Ree," in the Shannon, together with the old
" Book of Fenagh," originally compiled by St. Caillin, Arch-
bishop, Abbot, and founder of Fenagh, alias Dunbally of Moy-
rein, in the time of St. Patrick. This remarkable book has
been recently revised with great care, indexed, and copiously
annotated by W. M. Hennessy, M.R.I.A., and translated by
D. H. Kelly, M.R.I.A. A copy of it may he seen at the Royal
Irish Academy and at the British Museum.

Ardagh may also raise some claim to an interesting and
valuable shrine, at present in possession of the Very Rev. Denis
Murphy, S. J., M.R.I.A., University College, Dublin, lent to him
by the great Archbishop of the South of Ireland, the Most Rev.
Dr. Croke, which was made by the order of O'Ruark and his wife
Margaret, in the year 1536, and contained probably the original
Book of Fenagh, or its best transcript.

The following interesting inscription, taken from the shrine,
was given to the writer by the Very Rev. D. Murphy, S. J., who,
on a recent occasion, read before the members of the Royal Irish
Academy a paper, full of learning and research, on St. Caillin
and his shrine : —

76 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

OR AID : DON : MFIR : DO CVMDAIGH : AN MINNS A :
Pray for the man who covered the shrine of

CAILLIN : ADHON : BRIAN : MAC : EOGAIN RVAIRC : AGVS :-.
Caillin that is Brian the son of Owen Ruarc and (of)

MARGREITE : INGHIN HBRIAN : AGVS : DOBI : AOIS AN
Margaret daughter of Brian* and the year of the

TIGEARNA : ANTAN SOIN : SE : BLIADNA : DEC : AR : XX :
Lord at that time six years ten to twenty

AR : M : AR CCCCC : AIBH : AMARIA
to 1000 to 500 for their souls Ave Maria.

The Bell of St. Caillin is still preserved in the parish of
Fenagh. This interesting relic is beautifully described and
figured in " Transactions, Royal Irish Academy," vol. xiv ,.
Jan. 7, 1822.

I will close this chapter by a brief sketch of him who was
the "decus et tutamen" of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, from a
literary point of view — viz., St. Colcu, or Colgan, surnamed the
Wise. He was Eector of Clonmacnoise in the second half of
the eighth century. He was also Supreme Moderator and
Master of that celebrated school, and the author of the book
entitled "Scuap Crabhaigh, or the Besom of Devotion." He
obtained the name of Chief Scribe and Master of all the Scots
in Ireland. The year at which he began to teach in Clonmac-
noise is not registered. His eminence as a scholar, above all
who lectured before him and after him in that school, is beyond
all doubt. There is a curious legend, stating that St. Paul the
Apostle came in person to converse with him, and assist him in
a grave theological question, which was then controverted be-
tween the doctors of Clonmacnoise and the theologians of
another school. Colgan, Acta SS., 20th Feb, p. 378, has the
following record touching this alleged event : — " Coluit mirum
in modum S. Paulum Apostolum, ut suum in spiritu et littera
magistrum, et patronem singularem ; cujus etsingulares favores,
usque ad miracula legitur expertus. Cum enim ex scholis, dum
reverterctur, et iter faciens per locum, qui mointireanair apel-
latur, thecam, sive peram, in qua ejus libri jacebant, in himieris
portaret ; ad ipsum ex itinere f atigatum legitur. S. Paulus in
humana specie accessisse, eumque suo colloquio recreasse, sa-
crisque monitis et instructionibus confortasse ; quin et tanta
erga suum piimi et devotum clientem diguatioue ferri, quod
peram illam ex ejus humeris sublatum, ipse reliquo itinere ad
locum, quo erat venturus transtulerit. Alia etiam vice, cum.

* Lord Inchiquinn.

CLONMACNOISE AS A SCHOOL. 77

quaedam gravis quaestio inter doctores iu scliola de Cluain-
inicnois ventilaretur, et alii loci Patres, et viri doctrina et
auctoritate poUentes, adversam quaestionis partem, contra viruin.
Dei acriter tuerentur, legitur etiam Divus Paulus ejus partes
suscepisse, coram seuioribus perorasse, et controversiam ad ejus
mentem decidisse." "VVTiatever may be tbougbt of this, it is
certain that he was the most learned man of his day in the
writings of St. Paul. His death is recorded at the 20th February,
792. This distinguished lecturer was, beyond all doubt, the
blessed Master Colgan, or Colcu, with whom Alcuin carried on
a correspondence ; and one of the principal distinctions of his
life is to be found in the remarkable letter written to him by
Alcuin, and published by Colgan (Acta S.S., page 379). The
letter thus begins : —

" Epistola Albiui {i.e. Alcuin) Magistri
Ad Colcmn Lectorem in Scotia
Benedicto Magistro, et Pio Patri Colcuo
Alcuine humilis Levita salutem."
This is a very remarkable letter, but rather too long to be
inserted here. It affords probable evidence that Alcuin was
once a pupil of Oolgan's, for he styles him his master, his
father, and calls himself his son or disciple — " Ego filius tuus
et Joseph vernaculus tuus Deo miserante sani sumus et tui amici
toti."

In this remarkable epistle, it is stated that he sent to his
beloved Colcu some oil (probably olive), which was then very
scarce in Britain, and requested him to have it divided among
the bishops, in honour of Grod. He also sent, as a gift from
King Charles, fifty sides, to be distributed as alms, and fiity
sides of his own for the same purpose. This was an old Jewish
coin, said to be worth, when in silver, each, two shillings and
sixpence of our money ; when in gold, about fifteen shilKngs.
A remarkable prayer of St. Colgan is to be found in the
" Yellow Book of Lecain." It is entitled " Oratio Colgani
Sancti." This prayer was translated into English, and pub-
lished in the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record," with apj)ropriate
comments (Yol.^ I., No. 1, pp. 4, 12). The Invocation of Saints
is clearly contained in it. The major and minor orders of the
priesthood, the excellence of virginity, together with devotion
to the Blessed Mother of God and other dogmatic truths, are
also deducible from it. For this prayer see Appendix.

The connection of Alcuin with St. Colgan, imparts to his
position, character, and monastery, an especial glory.

Who was Alcuin? — The most distinguished scholar in
Europe, in the eighth century. He was Rector of the Palatine
University, established by Charlemagne, for the revival of

78 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

letters. Under tlie Merovingian Dynasty, liberal studies had.
almost entirely decayed, through the evil influences of the in-
cessant wars in which they were engaged. Society became rudfr
and difiicult, and studies were neglected. " The taste for truth
and the appreciation of the beautiful are delicate plants, need-
ing a pure sky and a kindly atmosphere — in the midst of storms,
they droop their heads and perish." Charlemagne undertook
to re-establish the liberal arts. He invited Alcuin to come to
Pisa, and made him the head of the Palatine School, afterwards,
so famous. Charlemagne, together with the three Princes,
Pepin, Charles, and Louis ; his sister, Gisla, and his daughter,
Richtrude ; his councillors and secretary were amongst the
first pupils to attend. Many followed the example of those
illustrious scholars, and after a short time Alcuin was called to-
lecture daily to a crowd of bishops, nobles, and courtiers. The
Court was transformed into a new Athens, as much superior to
the more ancient one of Grreece, as the doctrine and philosophy
of Christ are above Plato's. The corrections of the various
transcripts of the Scriptures, in the different languages, the
revision of the entire Bible, and the reform of the Church Chant,
engaged his first attention, but not to the exclusion of the liberal
arts, for they were all taught there. They learned in that famous.
University, as a great writer expressed it, " to hold the harp with
Orpheus, and the rule with Archimedes ; to perceive with Pytha-
goras, to explain with Plato, to imply with Aristotle, to rage
with Demosthenes, and to persuade with Cicero. But Rhetoric
and Dialectics were studied there, chiefly to explain the Fathers,
and refute errors contrary to Faith. In short, writes Crevier,
" the thought both of the king, and of the scholar, Alcuin, who
laboured with him, was to refer all things to religion, nothing
being considered truly useful which does not bear some relation to
that end." The intimate connexion of the Rector of Clonmac-
noise, with the great Rector of Pisa, is a proud distinction in
the Annals of the " Seven Churches."

CLONMACNOISE.

ITS CHAPTER.

The Chapter of Clonmacnoise anciently consisted of a Dean,
Chanter, Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon, and twelve Pre-
bendaries, viz., Clonmore, Clonleyn, Clondelaragh, Clonmehan,

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 79

Clonfandlagh, Clonderigli, Clonaglier, Cumrod, Clogliran, Clon-
cragh, Eagbran, and Clonefin, But most of the possessions
belonging to them got, from time to time, into lay hands, and
particularly into those of the Malones and Mac Coghlans. The
Archdeaconry of Clonmacnoise subsisted in Bishop Montgom-
mery's time, as appears by a Visitation Book, in Trinity College
Library, in which its valuation was returned at £16 st. Malachy
Dalaghan was presented to it, on the 13th January, in the tenth
year of the reign of Elizabeth, and a mandate issued to give
him a stall in the choir, and a voice in the Chapter. A house
and garden near to Clonmacnoise Church were appurtenant to
the Archdeaconry.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION" IN CLONMACNOISE.

Our Annalists do not agree regarding the year in which the
Abbey of Clonmacnoise was converted into a Cathedral ; the Four
Masters, the Chronicon Scoforum, and others, have given us an
uninterrupted succession of its Abbots. But it is not so with its
Bishops. Some high authorities, indeed, expressly say, that St.
Ciaran was Bishop of Clonmacnoise. In the Eegistry of Clon-
macnoise it is so asserted, and Lynch, in his MSS. History of
the Episcopal Succession, mentions this /act. The following ex-
tract has been copied from Mac Firbis's translation of the Re-^
gistry of Clonmacnoise, preserved in the British Museum : —

" The life of Kyran thus sett downe that the bestbloode have choosen their
bodyes to be buried in Cluainemacnoise, for that Kyran had such power,
being a holy Bishop, through the will of God, that what souls harboured in
the bodies buried under that dust may never be adjudged to Damnation,
wherefore tliose of the same blood have divided the churchyard amongst
themselves, by the consent of Kyran and his holy clearks."

Assuming it to be a fact that St. Ciaran was a Bishop, there
is no need of further inquiry into the original date of the Cathe-
dral, nor will there be much difficulty in setting forth an unin-
terrupted series of his successors, as far as the penal times. On
the other hand, if we assume that there was no Bishop at Clon-
macnoise until Baitan (O'Cormac), who died in 663, and that
his immediate successor was Joseph, whose obit, is fixed at 839,
as some of our Annalists affirm ; we are forced to the conclu-
sion that, whilst every town, and even village, in Ireland had a
Bishop of its own, according to the practice established by St.
Patrick, Clonmacnoise, with all its greatness, was an exception
to the general usage. It would, therefore, seem reasonable to

80 mOCESE OF AKDAGH.

regard the title of Abbot, as .synon3^nous witb that of Bishop.
Many of our Irish writers are found to have done this, wherever
Bishops had monasteries annexed to their cathedrals.* A strong
confirmatory argument is to be f oimd in the fact, that Guilla-
christ O'Malone who, at the head of the Clonmacnoise clergy,
attended the S}Tiod of Fiahd Mac Aengussa, as some wi-iters
say, or, more correctly, others maintain, the SjTiod of Usney,
held about 1111, is called simpli/ Ahbot. JN^ow, it is beyond
doubt, that there was a JS^ational Convention at Usney, on the
occasion referred to ; that Celsus, Archbishop of Armagh, pre-
sided ; that Moelmurry O'Dimain, Archbishop of Cashel, toge-
ther with fifty other Bishops, and three himdred priests at-
tended ; and that one of the chief acts of that S^Tiod was to
divide equally the parishes of Meath between the Bishops of
Clonmacnoise and Clonard. Can it be supposed that upon such
a solemn occasion, and one so materially concerning his own
Diocese, the Bishop of Clonmacnoise was absent, the place of
the Synod being so near ! And yet the Annalists simply state,
that the King Morogh O'Maolseachlain, Eocha O'Kelly, and
the clergy of the reKgious house of St. Kieran (Clonmacnois),
together with Gillachrist, Abbot, attended at that SjTiod. The
conclusion seems evident, that Abbot was sjtioujtuous with
Bishop.

In setting down the Episcopal Succession in Clonmacnoise,
I shall, therefore, insert in brackets the names of those who
appear in the Four Masters, Chronicon Scotonon, and other
AnnaKsts, as Abbots, and who, most probably, were also Bishops
of Clonmacnoise : —

[ST. KIEEAX,
the younger, died a.d. 548 or 549.

[oe:n'a mac ija laighaise,

succeeded. He was son of Eoghan, of Laighe's Eete, Queen's
County. He died, after holding the Abbacy for twenty years,
A.D. 569 or 570. Archdall and Ware have placed Tigernach as
the immediate successor of St. Ciaran ; but in this they erred,
for St. Tigernach was Abbot of Clones, County Monaghan, which
was called Cluain, The same writers have fallen into similar
mistakes, and for the same reason, in setting down the Abbot
Kuad as having died a.d. 746, and Joseph of Rosmore, a.d. 837,
at Clonmacnoise, both of whom belonged to Clones, and are

The Four Masters, a.d. 432, p. 131, call St. Patrick Abbot of All Ireland.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE, 81

subsequently assigned to Clones, County Monaghan, by Arebdall
bin] self.

St. Kieran, before bis deatb, bad cbosen bim as bis suc-
cessor. In tbe writings of Dr. O'Conor, tbis family name is
said to be O'Lacy. In tbis, Dr. O'Donovan observes, be made
a. mistake, and tbere are two reasons for saying so. In tbe first
place, bereditary surnames were not establisbed at so early a
period ; in tbe second place, tbere is no sucb name in Ireland
as O'Lacy, tbere is Lacy or De Lacy.

[ST. MACNISE, OR MACNESSIUS,

was tbe tbird Abbot, and ruled for sixteen years. He was of tbe
Ultonians, and died, according to tbe Four Masters, on tbe 13tb
June, 589, wbilst tbe Annals of Ulster fix bis obit, in tbe year
o90, and otbers, in 591, i.e., tbe year of tbe defectio solis and
tbe mane tenehrosiim.

[ST. ALITIIER

was tbe fourtb Abbot. He was of tbe family of tbe Muscraidbe.
It was in tbe beginning of bis Abbacy St. Colombkille made
tbe visit to Clonmacnoise referred to in tbe Life of St. Kieran.
He died in 595 or 599.

[ST. TOLUA rOTA, OR THE TALL,

was tbe fiftb Abbot. He died, according to tbe Four Masters,
in 609, and according to tbe Annals of Ulster, in 613.

[ST. COLMAN MAC-BARDAN

succeeded, and was tbe sixtb Abbot. He attended tbe famous
Synod of Magblene, beld about 630, in wbicb tbe Paschal Con-
troversy was considered, and be and tbe Clonmacnoise clergy
were amongst tbe first to declare for tbe old Roman practice.
He died in 637.

[ST. CRONAN MAC UA LOEGHDE
succeeded, and was tbe seventb Abbot. Qnievit a.d. 637.

[ST. AEDH-LUGH

succeeded, and was tbe eigbtb Abbot. During bis presidency
tbe famous battle of Carn Conail was fougbt, probably at Bally-
connell, near Gort. Tbe battle was given on tbe Feast of
Pentecost, by Dermot Mac Hugb Slane.

7

82 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Dennot, on his way to the battlefield, -went to Clonmacnoise-
on a pilgrimage, to invoke the aid of St. Ciaran. The Abbot
and his clergy went out in procession to meet him, and prayed
God and St. Ciaran to give him the victory over his enemies^
God granted their requests. Dennot, after ha^TLng completel^r
overthrown his enemies, returned to make thanksgiving at
Clonmacnoise, and to congratulate the clergy, to whose interces-
sion with heaven, on his behalf, he attributed the victory. In
gratitude he bestowed upon the monastery, To^Tn-enercke, with
the appurtenances, in honour of God and St. Ciaran, to be held
for ever, free of any charge in the world. He then ordered
that the King of Meath should not henceforth demand even a
draught of water, by way of charge.

The Tuaim on Eric, i.e., Erc's mound or tumulus, so granted
as an Altar-sod, was the original name of the place where the
riiins of the old church of Lemanaghan {i.e., St. Monaghan's
Church and cell) now stand, in the barony of Garrvcastle,
King's County, about three miles north-east of Ferbane. This
king furthermore ordered Clonmacnoise to be his burial
ground.

BAEDA^' MAC UA COEMAIC,

whose tribe was of the illustrious Conmaicne Mara family, suc-
ceeded in the Abbacy. Ware, Lanigan, and Lynch, in his
MSS. history, style this holy man Baitan O'Cormac, "first a
Monk, then Abbot, and lastly Bishop of Clonmacnoise ; a man
of much piety and learning." He is named in our Martyrolo-
gies, on the 1st of March ; but there, as well as in our ancient
Annals, receives only the title of Abbot. This is a strong confir-
matovy proof of the assertion with which ice set out, namely, that
Ahhot and Bishop may here he taken as synonymous. This holy
Bishop's obit, is put down by some as having taken place in
663, and by others, in 660. About that year the plague, called
Buidhe Connaill, began to rage in Ireland, and of it some of
the most remarkable men of that time in Ireland died.

[COLMAX CAS

succeeded, and was the tenth Abbot. He was of the tribe of
the Corca Mogha. He and his successor,

[CUMMINE,

the eleventh Abbot of Clonmacnoise, died in the same year, of
that terrible plague, already mentioned, i.e., Buidhe Connaill;
the year probably being 664. It carried off some of the-

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSIOX IX CLOXMACXOISE. 8 -'5

most distinguislied ecclesiastics, several princes, and other
notable laics. Bede refers to the plague (called the yellow
plague), and wrote that it depopulated the southern coasts of
Britain, and afterwards extended into the province of the
Northumbrians, ravaged the country far and near, and de-
stroyed a great multitude of men. He also observes, that it did
no less harm in the island of Ireland, where many of the
nobility, and of the lower ranks of the English nation, were
at the time either studying theology or leading monastic lives ;
the Scoti supplying them with food, and furnishing them
with books and their teaching gratis. The Four Masters and
( 'olgan notice this plague, and call it flava ideritia, id est
ahundantia flavae bilis per corpus ejfasae kominem pallidum red-
di'iifis. Colgan writes that this plague carried off two-thirds
of the population of Ireland, page 601, c. 13.

[COLMAN

succeeded, and was twelfth Abbot. He came from Airtech be-
tween the rivers Lung and Brideog, in the Barony of Boyle,
County Koscommon. He died in 681.

[FORCRON

was the thirteenth Abbot, and his obit, is put down in 684.

[CRONAN BEG,
or the Little, succeeded, and his obit, is 692.

[OISSENE

succeeded, and was the fifteenth Abbot. He was son of Gallust
and was from Fremhain, in Cabraighe of Tephtha. This
territory is situated in the County Longford, immediately to
the west of the village of Ardagh, There are two Calrys in
ancient Teffia, one in South Teffia called Calraighe-an-Chala
which retams its name to this day, and is almost co-extensive
with the parish of Ballyloughloe, Moate, of which the Very
Rev. Canon Kearney is the respected pastor, in the County
Westmeath ; and the other in North Teffia, which is anglicised
Slieve Golry or Carly, and is situate in the present parish of
Ardagh, County Longford. It was at the western side of this
hill St. Patrick left the sister of St. Mel at a spot caUed
Druinicheo, whilst at the eastern side he located St. Mel. He,
Oissene, died in 704.

84 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

[FAILBRE BEG,

or the Little, succeeded, and was the sixteentli Abbot. He
came from the Sept of OilioU Olum, King of Mmister. He
died in 711.

[ST. CUINDLES

succeeded, and was tbe seventeentb Abbot. During bis Abbacy
Clonmacnoise was burned. He died in 720.

[FLANN SINNA UA COLLA
succeeded, and was the eighteenth Abbot. He died in 726.

[COXAMHAIL UA LOICHENE
succeeded, and was the nineteenth Abbot. He died in 732.

[CEALLACH

succeeded, and was the twentieth Abbot. During his Abbacy
the famous battle at Ballyshannon took place, in which the
Leinster men with MacColgan, and the other chieftains were
nearly extirpated, by the race of Conn of the Hundred
Battles —

Aed Allen cecinit
The Aaed in the clay, the King in the church yard
The beloved pure dove with Ciaran at Cluain.

Ceallach died in 735,

[COMMAN OF ROSS

succeeded, and was the twenty-first Abbot. He " was a man
ixAl of the grace of God," say the Four Masters. This probably
was the saint from whom or after whom Roscommon was
named. He was the founder and first Abbot of the monastery
there. He died in 472.

ST. LIJICRIDH

succeeded, and was the twenty-second Abbot. He died in 748.

CORMAC

succeeded, and was the twenty- third Abljot. During his Abbacy

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 50

Clonmacnoise was burned on the 21st March, 750, and Gorman,
father of Torbach, Archbishop, died at Clonmacnoise whilst
on a pilgrimage at St. Ciaran's Shrine, according to the Four
Masters, whilst others say at St. Finneen's Well, which is
still there as well as St. Ciaran's, and to which pilgrims go
in crowds about the 8th September, each recurring year.
Cormac was of the race of Cairbre Crom, chief of Hy- Manny
and contemporary with St. Ciaran. Cormac died a.d. 757.

[RONAN

succeeded, and was the twenty-fourth Abbot. He was of the
Luighne. During his Abbacy, according to the Annals of
Clonmacnoise and the Four Masters —

•' Three showers at Ard-Uillinne (Inishowen) fell, through God's love, from
Heaven ;
A shower of silver, a shower of wheat, a shower of honey."

In the annals of Clonmacnoise, under the year 759, Nealle
Frassagh, son of King Ferrall, began his reign immediately
after the death of King Donnell, and reigned seven years : ' ' There
was a great famine throughout the whole kingdom in general,
in the time of the beginning of his reign ; in so much that the
king himself had very little to live upon ; and being then ac-
companied by seven goodly bishops fell upon their knees, where
the king very pitifully before them all besought God of his
infinite mercy and grace, if his wrath could not otherwise be
appeased before he saw the destruction of so many thousands of
his subjects and friends, that then were helpless of relief and
ready to perish, to take him to himself ; otherwise to send him
and them some relief for maintenance of his service; which
request was no sooner made than a great shower of silver fell
from heaven, whereat the king was greatly rejoiced ; and yet,
said he, this is not the thing that can deliver us from this
famine and imminent danger. "Whereupon he fell to his
^•rayers again ; then a second shower of heavenly honey fell,
and then the king prayed with great thanksgiving as before.
With that the third shower fell of pure wheat, which covered
all the fields over, the like of which was never seen before, so
that there was such plenty and abundance that it was thought
it was sufiicient to maintain a great many kingdoms. Then the
king and the seven bishops gave great thanks to God." The
Abbot Ronan died, a.d. 759. There were several Ronans.
There was, for example, St. Ronan, patron of the parish of Kil-
ronan, Coimty Roscommon, of whom and St. Lassera, to whom

86 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

the lioly well there is dedicated, and so mucli frequented by pil-
grims on what is commonly called Losser's (a corruption for
Lassera's) day. See Appendix.

[FOLACHTACH

succeeded, and was the twenty-fifth Abbot. He was son of
Teach Tuae, i.e., the house of St. Tua, now anglicised Tagadoe,
or sometimes Taptoo. It is situated near MajTiooth, Coimty
Kildare. The ancient church of this place has disappeared ;
but, it is said, a considerable part of a round tower still stands
in the graveyard to indicate the former ecclesiastical importance
of the place. He died in 765.

[FORBASACH HA CEARNAIGH

succeeded, and was the twenty-sixth Abbot. He was of the
Ui Briuin tribe, and died, a.d. 766.

[REACHTNIA,

of the race of Cairbre Crom, succeeded. Dui'ing his Abbacy
Clomnacnoise was burned. He died in 779.

[SNEDRIAGHAIL

succeeded, and was the twent}^- eighth Abbot. He was of the
sept of Calraighe. He died, a.d. 781.

[MUEGHAL

succeeded. He died, a.d. 784, or some say 789.

[SAEEBHEARG

succeeded, and was the thirtieth Abbot. During his rectorship
the laws of St. Kieran were promulgated in Connaught. I his
event took place in 783. He died in 791.

[JOSEPH HA CEARj^AIGH

succeeded, and was the thirty-first Abbot. Duriag his Abbacy
Coign or Colgan, or Colcu the Wise, i.e., the celebrated Doctor
and Lector to whom Alcuin, one of Charlemagne's tutors wrote
the Epistle published by Usher, in his Sylloge, and already
referred to in the chapter on " Clonmacnoise as a School,"
lectured here to the students of this University.

KFISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 87

[ANAILE

succeeded, and was the thirty- second Abbot. He died, a.d.
799. He was of the Ui Bruin sept.

[FOmECHEALLACH OF FOBHAE,

of the tribe of Grail Eanga-Mora, i.e., the inhabitants of the
Barom^ of Morgallaon, County Meath, succeeded, and was the
thirty-third Abbot. He died, a.d. 814. In that same year,
Tuathal, who was called on account of his eminent scholarship,
acrihe, icm man, and doctor of Clonmacnoise, died.

[SUIBNE

•succeeded, and was the thirty-fourth Abbot. He was of the
sept of Ui-Bruin-Seola, whose territory lay in the Barony of
Clare, County Galway. He died in 816.

[BONA]^

succeeded, and was the thirty-fifth Abbot. He died 844. Here
it is to be observed that Ware, and some others, put down at
the year 839 Joseph of Rosmor, as Bishop and distinguished
Scribe of Clonmacnoise, but in doing so they erred, just as in
putting down Bishop Tigernagh as the immediate successor
of St. Ciaran, both of whom belonged to Clones, County
Monaghan.

[CETADACH

succeeded, and was the thirty-sixth Abbot. He was of the Ui
Cormaic of Maenmagh, a tribe residing near Loughrea. He
• died in 850.

[CONMAC

succeeded, and was the thirty- seventh Abbot. He died 868.

[MARTAN

succeeded, and was the thirty-eighth Abbot. He was of the
tribe Dartraighe, whose chief seat was in the western part of the
vOoimtj Monaghan. He died in 869.

[FEBDONNACH,
of Mugdorna, succeeded, and died in 872.

OO DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

[MAELTUILE UA CUAJSTA

succeeded, and was the fortietli Abbot. He died a.d. 877. He-
was of Luigne tribe.

MAELPADRAIO

succeeded, and was tbe forty-first Abbot. He was of the Hy-
Manny tribe, from Tecb-inghine-Lingaicli. He died a.d. 885.

TUADHCAR,

succeeded as Bishop of Clonmacnoise, and died a.d. 889.

MAELODHAR

succeeded as Bishop of Clonmacnoise, and died a.d. 890.

[MAELBEIGHDE

succeeded. He died in 892.

[BLATHMAC

succeeded. He was son of Taircedach, of the Breghm-haine,.
i.e., Brawney, County Westmeath. He died a.d. 896.

CAIRBRE CROM

succeeded, and got the character of the head of religion in all'
Ireland, and the principal ornament of his age and countrj^,,
Marianus 0' Gorman. This illustrious bishop, together with a
synod of seniors, painfully witnessed the profanation of Inis-
Ainghin (Hare Island, in the vicinity of Athlone), by the Army
of Connaught, and a man was woimded in the middle of it^
although the shrine of Kieran was there. The Connaught
army was defeated the same day at Athlone, with great slaughter.
Colgan cites an ancient gloss, on the Festology of ^ngus,
which states, that as he, Cairbre Crom, prayed in the church at
vesper time, the soul of Maelachhn, King of Ireland, appeared
to him, and having stated that through the merits of St. Kieran,.
in whose hallowed cemetery he was interred, he would be with
the just on the last day, added that he was, in the meantime,
condemned to the most excruciating torments, from which only
the prayers of the faithful could release him. The holy bishop,
" with the twelve priests who were in Clonmacnoise," entered
on an arduous course of penance and prayer for his relief. At

EPISCOPAL SUCCF.SSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 89-

the end of a year the king again appeared to him " in fulgida
et decora specie," announcing that he had been admitted to the
joys of Paradise (Acta S.S., Colgan, page 509). This great
bishop died, a.d. 899.

[LOINGSEACH
succeeded, and died in 918.

COLMAN

succeeded. He was son of Ailill, of the Conaille Muirthemne..
King Flann, Sinna, and Cohnan erected, in 904 or 901, the
great stone Cathedral of Clonmacnoise. Colman was also Abbot
of Clonard at the same time. Of him the poet wrote : —

" The tenth year, a just decree, joy and sorrow reigned,
Colman of Clonmacnoise, the joy of every tower, died."

He was called " Princeps " of Clonmacnoise and of Clonard. He-
died in 924.

[TIBPtAIDE

succeeded. He was son of Ainnsen, of Ui Briuin. He died in
929 or 930.

DUNCHADH

succeeded. During his episcopate Clonmacnoise was plundered
by the foreigners of Ath-cliath {i.e., Dublin), and by Blacaire,
son of Gothfrith. He died in 941.

[AINMIRE,

Ua Cathlaia succeeded. He was not only Abbot of Clonmac-
noise, but also of Leachain, i.e., Leckin, Barony of Corcaree,
County Meath. He died in 946 or 947.

OONAGAN,

son of Egertach, Airchinneach, of Eglais-beg, at Clonmacnoise,
succeeded. He was gennanus atari of Conna-mbocht. The
Four Masters call him bishop and pvire virgin. He died in 948.

[UA MAENAIGH

succeeded. He was Abbot, not only of Clonmacnoise, but alsO'
of Glendalouo-h, where he died in 951.

-90 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

DUNADHACH,

son of Egertach, succeeded, aud died in 954.

CORMAC O'KILLEEN

succeeded. He liad the character of a man of learning, and
is said to hare been the founder of the Church of Tuaim-Grene
and its cloigteach. He is also said to have been Abbot of
Roscrea and Roscommon. He died in 964.

TUATHAL

succeeded. He is called according to Lynch's MS. History not
only Bishop, but also Archbishop and Abbot of Clonmacnoise.
He died a sudden death, after three days' fast, in the year 969.
Ware here incorrectly sets down Donat O'Brien as the im-
mediate successor of Tuathal.

MAENACH,

son of Maelmichil, succeeded, and died in the same year.

ELANN,

son of Maelmichil, Lector of Clonmacnoise, and Bishop and
Airchinnech of Cluain-Deochra, succeeded. He died in 977.

CONAING UA COSGRAIGH,

the learned Bishop, succeeded, and died in 996.

MAELPOIL

succeeded. According to the Eour Masters, he was also Abbot
of Fore, County Westmeath. Erom this it woidd appear a close
connection existed between the Monasteries of Clonmacnoise and
Eore. Maelpoil died in 999. Ware makes no mention of him.

CONAING,

son of Aedhacan, of the Mughdhorna-Maighen, succeeded. He
died in 1008.

[ELAITHBHEARTECH,

son of Domhnall, i.e., of the Clan-CoLnain, succeeded. He
•died in 1014.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 91

[MUIREADHACH

succeeded. He was also Abbot of Roscommon. He was present
in 1022 at the Office and High Mass of Malachy Magnus Filius
Domnaldi, Rex Hiberniso, whicli were celebrated in the parish,
now known as the Parish of Dysart, County Westmeath. This
king, at whose funeral obsequies the Abbot of Clonmacnoise
was present, was called the pillar of the dignity and nobility of
the West of Ireland. He reigned as sovereign of Ireland for
forty-three years, and died in his castle on the Island of Lough-
Ennell, near Mullingar. The Abbot died in 1025.

[BREASAL CONAILLEACH

succeeded. He died in 1030.

ELAITHBHEARTECH,

.son of Loinsech, succeeded, and was not only Bishop, but also
Lector at Clonmacnoise. Ware and Archdall have no notice of
him. He died in 1038, according to the Cliron. Scot. The Four
Masters fix his death in the year 1035.

[LOINGSEACH UA FLAITHEN
succeeded. He died in 1042.

[ECHTHIGHERN UA EAGHRAIN

succeeded. Ware expressly states he was Bishop. The Four
Masters put him down simply as Abbot of Clonmacnoise and
Roscommon. He died in 1052, on a pilgrimage at Clonard.

M^LFINNEN MacCUINN-NA-M-BOCHT.

succeeded. The Four Masters record that he established a
hospice for the poor at Iseal-Chiarain, and made gift of twenty
cows to it. They style him ' ' head of the Celide, and Anchorite
of Clonmacnoise," also its "glory and dignit}^," and add that he
died at an advanced age. His obit, occurred in 1056 or 1057.
The CJiron. Scot, expressly states he was a Bishop.

CELECHAR MUGHDHORNACH

.succeeded. He died in 1061, according to the Chron. Scot., and
according to the Four Masters his obit, took place in 1067.

92 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

AILILL-UA-H-AIRRETAICH

succeeded. He died on a pilgrimage at Clonard in 1070. In
this same year, the causeway from the cross of Bishop Etchin
to Irdom Chiarain, was made at Clonmacnoise by MaelchiararcL
MacCuinn-na-mBocht ; and the causeway from Cros-chomhghailL
to uluidh-na-a-Tri-g-Cross, and thence afterwards to the west
of the street.

[M^.LCIAEAIN,

son of Conn-na-mBocht, succeeded. The Four Masters stjde-
him the " glory and veneration of Clonmacnoise in his time.'*^
He died 1076.

[TIGHEARNACH UA BRJEIN",

chief successor of St. Kieran and Coman of Eoscommon, died,
in 108», or, according to others, in 1084. This is the illustrious
annalist whose writings prove him to have been one of the most
celebrated and learned men of our early church. He was,,
according to the Four Masters, "a paragon of learning and.
history." He died on the couch of St. Kieran.

GILLACHEIST UA ECHTIGHEEX

succeeded. He was not only Bishop of Clonmacnoise, but is.
also styled by the Four Masters, Eii'chinueach of Ardachaid^
i.e., Archdeacon of Ardagh. The office and dignitary of Arch-
deacon in those days were something very different from what
they now are. He died in 1104, according to the Four Masters,
and according to L^Tich's MS. History, in 1103^ and the Chron.
Scot, places his obit, in 1100.

[FLAITHBHEAETACH UA LOINGSIGH

succeeded. He is stjded the great priest of Clonmacnoise. He-
died in 1109.

[UA M^LEOIN

succeeded. It was he who finished O'Eorke's tower. There-
fore, it is called O'Eorke's O'Malone's tower. He, together
with other members of his congregation, represented Clonmac-
noise at the great Synod of Uisnech (now Usney Hill, in West-
meath), which was held in the year 1111, by Mmxhadh ua
Maelsech-lainn, and by Eochaidh ua Cellaigh. It was at this.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 93

Synod that the diocese of Feara-Midhe was divided into two
parts, between the Bishop of Clonmacnoise and the Bishop of
Olonard, viz. : — from Clochan-an-imrin Avestwards to the Bishop
of Clonmacnoise, and from the same Clochan, eastwards, to the
Bishop of Clonard. This Abbot died in 1124. The Cloghan,
referred to here, lies between Moate and MuUingar.

[GILLACHEIST UA M^LEOm

succeeded. He is styled by the Four Masters as " fountain of
knowledge and charity, head of the prosperity and affluence of
Erin." He died in 1127.

DOMHNALL O'DUBHAI

succeeded. Lynch expressly states in his MS. History that he
was Bishop of Clonmacnoise, and Archbishop of Connaught at
the same time. "Ware thinks there must be some mistake (al-
though he places him amongst the successors of St. Kieran),
for it appeared to him that the two offices could not be united
in the same person and at the same time. There is nothing
incompatible in supposing that he was Administrator of the
West, and Bishop of Clonmacnoise at the same time. He is
styled by the Four Masters as " head of the wisdom and hospi-
tality of the province." He died after celebrating Mass in
Clonfert, in 1136. Tuam was not made an Archdiocese tmtil
the Sjmod of Kells was held.

MORIERTACH O'MELIDER

succeeded. According to Lynch's MS. History, he was Bishop,
not only of Clonmacnoise, but also of Western Meath and
Clonfert. He attended the Synod at Kells, held by Cardinal
John Pare, in 1152. He was styled " vir sapiens et scriba
etcaput religionis." He lived to the advanced age of ninety
years, fifty of which elapsed after his elevation to the priest-
hood, and forty after his consecration as bishop. He died in
the year 1187, or 1188, or 1189, according to different
authorities. It appears certain that he resigned his See some
years before his death.

TIOERXACH O'MiELEOIN (DOMINICK 0'MALO:sTE)
succeeded. He died in 1172.

MUIREACH O'MUREECHAN

succeeded. He had the reputation of a man of learning. He
seems to be the same prelate with one whom some call Muriertach

94 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

O'Murray, and say lie was buried at Clonmacnoise, under a.
monument erected to his memory by Slaman, his foster-brother.
This bishop died in 1213.

EDAN O'MAILY

succeeded. He died in 1220.

MJELROXY O'MODEIX

succeeded in 1220. The Annalists generally call him Mulmorj^
O'Muleoin, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, and place the time of his-
death in 1230.

HUGH O'MALONE

succeeded in 1230. He died in 1236, and probably resigned his
See before his death. He was buried in St. Mary's Abbey,.
Kilbeggan.

ELIAS

.succeeded, according to Ware, who has the following state-
ment:— "Elias was Bishop of Clonmacnoise, in the twentieth
year of King Henry III., a.d. 1236. For haying resigned his
See that year, the Dean and Chapter went to election, without
the king's licence ; but had that of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord
Justice, by virtue of which they elected Thomas, Dean of
Clonmacnoise. The Xing upon this issued his Mandatory "Writ
to the Lord Justice, reciting the mishehaviour ; but, on account
of the poverty of the church gaye his assent and ordered ' that,'
as soon as the Archbishop of Armagh had certified his metro-
political confirmation, that then the Lord Justice should give
restitution of all the lands belonging to the See of Clonmacnoise,.
of which Elias, late Bishop of Clonmacnoise, and predecessor of
Thomas, was seized on the day of his resignation. So that Elias
must intervene between Hugh O'Malone and Thomas, or must
be the same person with Hugh, which I confess is not im-
probable."

THOMAS

succeeded. He had been Dean of Clonmacnoise. He died in 1252.

DAVID
succeeded. He died in 1253. Lynch's MS. History.

THOMAS O'QUINN

succeeded. He had been a Franciscan Friar. He governed
this See during twenty-seven years, and died in 1279.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACXOISE. 96-

aiLBEET

succeeded. He had been Dean of Clonmacnoise before his
elevation to the episcopacy. He was consecrated by Nicholas,
Archbishop of Armagh, in 1281. He resigned his See in 1288.

WILLIAM O'DUFFY

succeeded, after two years' vacancy in this diocese. He was a
Franciscan Friar before his consecration. He died of a fall from
liis horse in 1297. This sad event took place in Banagher.
See Appendix, for further particulars regarding this prelate.

WILLIAM O'FINDAX

succeeded. He had been Abbot of Kilbeffgran before his con
secration. He died in a.d. 1300.

oo-

DONALD O'BRIEN,

Guardian of the Franciscan Convent at Killeigh, succeeded in_
1303. The year of his death is not on record.

lea\t:s o'daly

succeeded. He died in 1337.

HENRY

succeeded. He had been a Dominican friar before his con-
secration. The year of his death is uncertain.

TYMON

succeeded Dr. Henry. Before his appointment to Clonmacnoise
he was Prior of the Dominican Convent at Roscommon. He
was a native of the Diocese of Elphin. For further particulars,
regarding this Prelate see Appendix

RICHARD

succeeded. He had been a monk before his consecration, but
the Congregation or Order to which he belonged is not given,.
nor is th.ere any record of the year of his death.

PHILIP

succeeded. He died in 1388,

^96 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

MILO CORY,

a Franciscan friar, succeeded in 1390. He died a short time
after his consecration. The year is not recorded.

O'GALEHOR
succeeded. He died in 1397.

PETER,

a Cistertian monk, and Abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary, at
Granard, Co. Longford, succeeded in the year following. He
died in 1411.

PHILIP O'MCEIL
succeeded in 1411. He died in 1422.

DAVID BRENDOG, OR PREXDUG

succeeded, 1423, September 24. " Die 8^^ Kal. Octobris, 1423,
pro visum est ecclesiae Cluanen., Provinciae Armachanae in
Hybernia, vacanti per mortem, de persona Fratris David Pren-
dugus, Ord. Cisterc." — Vatican.

CORMAC MacCOUGHLAN

■was appointed by Brief, on the 11th January, in 1425. He
had been Dean of the Chapter at Clonmacnoise before his
nomination to this See. Although appointed at Rome in
the year already named, it appears he was not consecrated
before 1427. Ware observes, "I do not know how it hap-
pened that his consecration was so long delayed." There is
in the Registry of Dr. John Swain, Archbishop of Armagh,
then Administrator of this See during the vacancy, a Com-
mission for Visitation of the Diocese of Clonmacnoise, to the
aforesaid Cormac, whom he styles Bishop Elect, and to John
O'Mayl, Abbot of the Monastery of Granard, dated on the
above day and year, whereby he constituted them sub-guardians
of the See of Clonmacnoise. There is, moreover, another
citation to him as Bishop Elect, recorded in the same Registry,
whereby he is called on to appear at a Provincial Synod, to be
held at Drogheda the October following ; but he did not appear.
Some writers say he died in 1442 ; but, most probably, the year
of his death was 1444 ; for it appears in the Annals of Dudley

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE 97

Pirbisse, under that year, that one Bishop MacCoughlan, and
the Prior of Clontuoskirl and one James, the Archdeacon of
Clonmacnoise, were slain in a battle fought with another sept
of the MacCoughlans, on the Monday before St. John the
Baptist's Bay. Now, as Clonmacnoise lies in the MacCoughlan's
country or territory, and as I find no other MacCoughlan a
Bishop at this time of any other Biocese, I cannot but think
that this Cormac MacCoughlan was the warlike bishop slain in
that year. The Annalists speak of him as " a man of great
liberality and a patron of the learned."

The following notice of this distinguished prelate is taken
from Brady's Episcopal Succession : — Cormac MacCoughlan.
*' Tertio Idus Januarii, 1425, provisum est Cluanen. in Hib. vac.
per mortem, licet de alteri f uerit provisum, quia non fecit confici
Bullas infra annum, de persona Cormichi Mecerlan, Decani dictae
ecclesiae cum dispensatione opportuna.'' — Vatican. He had an-
other Provision to this See on 8th July, 1426 : — " Bie 8 Idus
Julii, 1426, provisum est ecc^*^- Cluanen , vac. per mortem, de per-
sona Cormachi (cui alias de dicta ecc^*^- fuerat prov. sed infra
annum literas non expediverat. Propter quod de novo censebatur
vacare.) Cum dispensatione opportuna, ut alias fuerat dispen-
satum."— Vatican. On the 23rd of October, 1426, " E,. P. B.
Cormachus, Electus Cluanen., pro Integra solutione unius minuti
servitii, solvit 9 flor. auri de Camera et 19 solidos et 6 denarios
monetae Romanae." — Obligazioni.

MacCoughlin died in 1444.

JOHN OBALY, OR OLBAIS

succeeded on 5th of October, a.d. 1444. The following recoi'd.
of his appointment is taken from the Vatican MSS. : — "R. P. B.
Johannis Odaly, Dei gratia electus Episcopus Cluanen. in
provincia Armachana in Hybernia, personaliter obtulit. Cam. et
Coll. etc., 33 florenos auri de Camera et unum tertium." —
Obligazioni.

Ware gives no date for the death of John O'Daly, but men-
tions another bishop, John, who died in 1486.

WALTER BLAKE

succeeded, a.d. 1487. He died in 1508. He was a native of
Galway, and Canon of Enaghdune. It is said he was educated
for some time at Oxford. See Ware.

THOMAS

succeeded, a.d. 1509. — Ware. The year of his death is not
recorded.

8

98 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

QUINTIN JEGYX

succeeded, a.d. 1516, November 10. This appointment is re-
corded by Ware. His name appears also in tbe brief of his
successor. Dr. Jegyn had been a Franciscan Friar before his
appointment. He died in 1538, having ruled this See for
twenty-two years.

RICHAED HOGAN

succeeded, a.d. 1539, June 16. Like his predecessor he was a
Franciscan Friar before his appointment. He was also Bishop
of Killaloe in commendam. " Die 16 June, 1539, referente
Card. Ghinuccio, S. D. N. providit ecclesiae Cluonen., vacanti
per obitum Quintini Jeg}Ti, de persona Richardi Jhogan
(Hogan) ordinis fratrum Minorum professoris, et in admin-
istrationem eidem dedit ecclesiam Laonen., vacantem per
obitum Theodorici Ybrien, extra Romanam Curiam defuncti.
Cum absolutione a censuris." — Barberini. Dr. Hogan died in the
same year, 1539. Ware makes no mention of him.

FLORENCE GERAWAN, OR KIRWAN

succeeded, a.d. 1539, December 5. " Die 5 Dec, 1539, referente
Ghinutio, providit ecclesiis Cluanen. et Laonens. in Hybernia,
vacantibus per obitum Richardi (Hogan) et Theodorici extra
Romanam Curiam defunctorum, de persona fratris Florentii
Igeranan (Gerawan vel Kirwan), ordinis fratrum Minorum, cum
unione earundem ecclesiarum ad vitam dicti Florentii tantum.
Absolvens, etc." — Barberini. Gerawan died about the year 1555.
During his episcopacy, the two west angles of the cathedral at
Clonmacnoise were demolished by a tempest, on the 31st of
January, 1547. It was reckoned the most violent storm that ever
happened in Ireland. About that same year, the English garrison
of Athlone pillaged this cathedral in a scandalous manner, took
away the bells, destroyed the images and the altars, not sparing
the church books nor even the window glass. Dr. Kirwan, like
his predecessors, had been a Franciscan Friar before his ap-
pointment to this See, which was made by Pope Paul the III.,
and confirmed by King Henry the YIIL, after having taken
the oath of allegiance. — See "Ware.

RODERICK MACLEAN

succeeded, a.d. 1549, August 30. "Die 30° Aug., 1549,
referente R'^"- Carpensi, S. D. N. providit ecclesia Cluanen.,

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 99

tunc per obitum bo. men. Florentii, olim Episcopi Cluanen.,
extra Romanam Curiam def uncti, vacanfci, de persona D. Roderici
Machilliennii (Maclean) presbyteri Rossen. dioc, in aetate le-
gitima constituti et de nobili genere ex utroque parente pro-
creati, ipsumque illi in Episcopum praef ecit et pastorem, curam,
etc., committendo, et cum retentione omnium, etc., et cum dis-
pgQgbus derog^''^' etc. Absolvens, etc. Redditus floren. 300.
Taxa 33i." — Barberini. Maclean did not perfect this appoint-
ment, wbicb was made on a false report of the death of Kirwan,
and OQ 5th March, 1550, was made Bishop of Sodor.

PETER WALL

succeeded, a.d. 1556, May 4. "Die 4"^ Maii, 1556, referente
Card. Morono ; ecclesia Cluanen., tunc per cessionem. R.
P. D. Florentii Grerua, Episcopi Cluanen., in manibus S"'^- Suae
sponefactara, et per eandem S'^™- Nostram admissam vacanti, de
3)ersona D. Petri Val. Ore. fratrum Praedicatorum, et Theol. Bac-
calaurei, in presbj teratus ordine et quinquagesimo suae aetats
anno constituti ; ipsumque, etc. Et cum absolutione ab Apos-
tasia et aliis excessibus, cum dispensatione prout in cedula et
cum clausulis, etc. Absolvens, etc. Taxa flor. 33|." — Bar-
berini. Dr. Wall died in 1568. — Ware. After his death this
See was united to Meath by Parliamentarj^ authority, an union
never recognised at Rome.

From 1568 to 1647 this See was under Yicars or Ad-
ministrators, owing to the troubles of the times.

In 1631, the Bishop of Meath held Clonmacnoise in admin-
istration. He was Dr. Thomas Dease.

ANTHOXY GEOGHEGAN

succeeded, a.d. 1647, March 11. "Die 11° Martii, 1647,
referente Card. Ginnetto. S. D. JN". providit ecclesiae Cluanen.
a pluribus annis vacanti, de persona fratris Antonii Geoghegani,
ord. min. strictioris observantiae professi, eumque, etc." —
Corsini. He had been praeconized on the 18th of February,
1647. — Corsini. Dr. Geoghegan was, on several occasions,
forced to fly from Ireland. In a Congregation of the Pro-
paganda, held on the 16th of December, 1653, the Bishop
of Clonmacnoise obtained " hospitium," with an allowance for
his maintenance within the CoUege of the Propaganda. He
had endured many sufferings "pro fide Catholica et immunitate
-Ecclesiae."

100 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

During his episcopate, Clonraacnoise was the centre of some-
remarkable events, in which Dr. Geoghegan took a leading part^
as the following documents will show. He also attended a
Synod held in Kilmore.

Statuta Cluanensia.

In Capitulo Habito in Civitate Cluanensi.

10 Maii, 1649.

Sub Reverendissimo D. Antonio, Episcopo Cluanensi.

Propter varia incommoda quae sequntur ex negligentia
parochorum partim, et partim officiositate religiosorum qui se
intromittant officio eorundem, statuimus quod quicunque regu-
laris, assistat testamento alicujus moribundi in hac dioecesi, nisi
assistat etiam parochus, qui debebit vocare duos alios testes ad
minimum, et idem testamentum praesentare coram ordinario aut
officiale ante 15 dies, qui secus fecerint, mulctentur in 10 per
centum de valore testamenti, quod mulctum solvatur in pios-
usus.

Dr. Carolus Coghlan, Decanus.

Pr. Donatus Coffey, Thesaur^-

Pr. Walter Rigny, Poenitentiar®-

Pr. Joan^- Muluolha Y. de Ballologhlo.

Pr. Thomas Conoile.

Pr. Terentius Coghlan.

Pr. Arthurus Coghlan.

Pr. Patricus M'Mea.

Pr. Donaldus Shiell.

Pr. Gulielmus Shiell.

Hi omnes supradicti consensum dederunt ad probationem et
cnnfirmationem supra dictorum statutorum. Et ego similiter
confirmo et approbo eadem.

Fr. Anthonius [Magheogan], Episcopus
Cluanensis.

Scriptum per me Hugonem Coghlan, 4 Sept., 1649.

It is clear from above Statutes the Regulars did not have
it all their own way in those days.

The following papers will be found to contain much valuable
information regarding the sad condition to which Catholics were
reduced about the middle of the seventeenth century, in this
coimtry, through the Cromwellian invasion : —

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 101

1. Declaration of tlie Bishops and Clergy assembled at Clon-
macnoise, 4tli December, 1649.

(From the Wadding Papers, Eome.)

B}^ the Ecclesiastical Cong'^- of the Kingdom of Ireland, we
the ArchB^- Bish®- & other Ordinaries & Prelates of this King-
dom of Ireland, having met at Clonmacnoise j^vo^^rio motu on
the fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord God 1649
taking into our consideration among other, the affairs then
agitated & determined for the Preservation of the Kingdom
that many of our Flock are mislead w*^ a vain opinion of hopes
that the Commander in Chief of the Rebel Forces commonly
•called Parliamentaries, would afford them good Conditions, and
that relying thereon, they suffer utter Destruction of Religion,
Lives & fortunes if not prevented. To undeceive them in this
their ungrounded expectation we do hereby declare as a most
•certain truth that the Enemy's Resolution is to extirpate the
Catholic Religion out of all his Majesty's Dominions, as by
•their several covenants doth appear, & the Practice wherever
their power doth extend, as is manifested by Cromwell's Letter
of the 19th of October 1649, to the then Grovernor of Ross, his
words are "for that w'^^ y^ mention concerning Liberty of
Religion, I meddle not with any man's Conscience, but if by
Liberty of Conscience you mean a Liberty to exercise the Mass,
I judge it best to use plain dealing & to let you know, where
the Parliament of England have Power that will not be allowed
of." This T^^rannical Resolution they have put in Execution
in Wexford, Drogheda, Rosse & elsewhere & it is notoriously
known that by Acts of Parliament called the Acts of Subscrip-
tion the Estates of the Inhabitants of this Kingdom are sold,
so there remaineth now no more but to put the Purchasers in
Possession, by the Power of Forces drawn out of England, &
for the common sort of People, towards whom if they show any
more moderate usage at the present, it is to no other end but
for their private advantage, & for the better support of their
army, intending at the close of their Conquest (if they can
effect the same, as God forbid) to root out the Commons also
& plant their Land with Colonies to be brought hither out of
England, as witness the number they have alread}^ sent hence,
for the Tobacco Islands, and put Enemies in their Places.

And in effect this Banishment or other destructions of the
■common People must foUow the Resolution of extirpating the
Catholic Religion, which is not to be effected without the Mas-
sacring or Banishment of the Catholic Inhabitants.

102 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

We cannot tterefore in our Duty to God & discharge of the
care we are obliged to have for the preservation of our Plocks
but admonish them not to delude and loose themselves with the
vain expectation of conditions to be had from that merciless
enemy & consequently we beseech the Gentry and Inhabitants,
for God's Glory and their own safety to the uttermost of their
Power to contribute with Patience to the Support of the War
against that enemy in hope that by the Blessing of God that
they may be rescued from the threatened Evils & in Time be
permitted to serve God in their native Country & Enjoy their
Estates and fruits of their Labours free from such heavy
Leavies or any other such Taxes as they bear at present,
admonishing also those that are enlisted of the army to prose-
cute constantly according to each man's charge, the trust
reposed in them, the opposition of the common enemy in so just
a war as is that they have undertaken for their Religion, King,.
and Country, as they expect the Blessing of God to fall on
their actions & to avoid God's heavy judgment, and the indig-
nation of their native country, they neither plunder nor oppress-
the people, nor suffer any under their charge to commit any
extortion or oppression so far as shall lay in their power to
prevent."

2. Declaration of the Bishops and others, assembled at Clon-
macnoise, 13th December, 1649.

Whereas many of the clergy and laity did in their actions
and proceedings express much discontent and divisions of mind,
grounding the same on the late difference of opinion which
happened amongst the prelates and the laity, by which the nation
was not so well united as was necessary in this time of great
danger, wherein all as with one heart and hand ought to oppose
the common enemy. We, the Archbishops, Bishops, and
Prelates of this kingdom met, motu propn'o, at Clonmacnoise,
4th December, 1649, having removed all differences among us
(not entering into the merits or diversities of former opinions)
thought good for the removing of all jealousies from our own
thoughts, hearts, and resolutions, and from others who had
relation or were adherent to the former diversities of opinion,
to manifest hereby to all the world that the said divisions and
jealousies grounded thereupon are now forgotten and forgiven
among us on all sides as aforesaid, and that all and every
of us of the above Archbishops, Bishops, and Prelates are now
by the blessing of God as one body united, and that we will, as

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 103

Lecometh charity and our pastoral charge, stand all of us as one
entire body, for the interest and immunities of the Church and
every Prelate and Bishop thereof, and for the honour and
dignity, estate, right, and possession of all and every said Arch-
bishop, Bishop, and other Prelates, and we will as one entire
and united body forward by our counsel, action, and device, the
advancement of his Majesty's rights and the good of this nation
in general, and in particular according to our power, and that
none of us in any occasion whatsoever concerning the Catholic
religion or the good of this kingdom of Ireland, will, in any
respect single himself, or be, or seem opposite to the rest of us,
but will hold firm and entire in one sentiment as aforesaid,
hereby detesting the actions, thoughts, and discourses of any
that shall renew the least memory of the differences past, or
give any ground of future differences among us, and do, in the
name of Jesus Christ exhort all our flocks to the like brotherly
affection and union, and to the like detestation of all past dif-
ferences or jealousies as aforesaid arising hitherto among them,
and we desire that this, our declaration, be printed and pub-
lished in each parish, by command of the respective Ordinaries,
vt rideant opera vestra bona et glorificent Patrem vestrum qui in
coelis est.

Datum ajmd Clonmaoioise, 13th December, 1649.

Hugo, Ardmachanus. Fr. Thomas Dubliniensis. ^

Thomas Casselensis. Joannes, Archiep. Tuamensis.

Fr. Boetius, Elphinensis.

Fr. Edmundus, Laghlinensis et Procurator Waterfordiensis.

Emerus, Clogherensis. Kobertus, Corcagiensis et Cluanensis.

Nicholaus, Fernensis.

Edmundus, Lymericen et Procurator Episcopi Ossorien.

Franciscus, Aladensis. Andreas, Finiborensis. ^

Joannes, Laonensis. Fr. Oliverius, Dromorensis.

Fr. Antonius, Clonmacnoisensis. Fr. Hugo, Duacensis.

Fr. Arthurus, Dunensis et Connorensis.

Fr. Terentius, Imolacensis.

Fr. Patritius, Ardachadensis.

Oliverius Deise, Procurator Episcopi Midensis.

Dr. Joannes Hussei, Procurator Ep. Ardfertensis.

Fr. Joannes Cantwell. Abbas S. Crucis.

Dr. Thadeus Clery, Procurator Episcopi Rapotensis.

Fr. Grregorius O'Ferrall, Provincialis fratum min.

Walterus, Ep. Clonfertensis, Congregationis Secretarius

104 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

3. Decrees of the Bishops, &e., assembled at Clonraacnoise,
13th December, 1649.

(From the Wadding Papers, Rome.)

We, the Archbishops, Bishops, and other ordinaries and
Prelates of the kingdom of Ireland, having met at Clonmac-
noise, ^jrcyjr/o motu^ the 4th day of December, in the year, 1649,
to consider the best means to unite our flocks for averting God's
wrath fallen on this nation, now bleeding under the evils that
famine, plague, and war, bring after them, for effecting a pre-
sent union, decreed the ensuing acts : —

1. We order and decree as an act of this congregation that all
Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries within their re-
spective dioceses, shall enjoin public prayers, fasting, general
confessions, and receiving, and other works of piety, toties
qiioties, to withdraw from this nation God's anger, and to render
them capable of his mercies.

2. We order and decree as an act of this congregation that
a Declaration be issued from us, letting the people know how
vain it is for them to expect from the common enemy, com-
manded by Cromwell, by authority from the rebels of England,
any assurance of their religion, lives, or fortunes.

3. We order and decree that all the pastors and preachejs
be enjoined to preach amity, and for inducing the people there-
unto to declare unto them the absolute necessity there is for the
same, and as the chief means to preserve the nation against the
extirpation and destruction of their religion and fortunes re-
solved on by the enemy. And we hereby do manifest our
detestation against all such divisions between either provinces
or families, or between old English and old Irish, or any of the
English or Scots adhering to his Majesty, and we do decree and
order that all ecclesiastical persons fomenting such dissensions
or unnatural divisions be punished by their respective prelates
and superiors, juxta gravitatem excessus et (si opus fiterit) sus-
pendant'ur heneficiali et Pastores a heneficio et officio ad certum

tempus, religiosi autenia divinis juxta circumstantias delicti, leaving
the laity, offending in this kind, to be corrected by the civil
magistrate, by imprisonment, fine, banishment, or otherwise, as
to them shall seem best, for plucking by the roots so odious a
crime, the execution whereof we most earnestly recommend to
all those having power, and that all are concerned therein as
they will answer to God for the evils that thereout may
ensue.

4. We decree and declare excommunicated those highway

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 105

Tobbers, commonly called the Idle Boys, that take away tbe goods
of honest men, or force men to pay them contribution ; and we
likewise declare excommunicated all such as succour or harbour
them, or bestow or sell any victualling, or buy cattle or any
other thing else from them wittingly, likewise all the ecclesi-
astical j)ersons ministering sacraments to such robbers or Idle
Boys, or burying them in holy graves to be suspended ab officio
et heneficio si quod hahent by their respective superiors, juxta
(jraiitatem delicti. This, our decree, is to oblige within fifteen
days after the publication thereof in their respective dioceses.

Datum upud Clonmacnoise, 13th December, 1649.

Hugo, Ardmachanus.

Ft. Thomas, Dabliniensis.

Thomas, Casselensis.

Joannes, Archiep. Tuamensis.

Fr. Boetius, Elphinensis.

Fr. Edmundus, Laghlinensis et Procurator Waterfordiensis.

Emerus, Clogherensis

Ptobertus, Corcagiensis et Cluanensis.

J^icolus, Fernensis.

Edmundus, Lymericen et Procurator Episcopi Ossorien.

Franciscus, Aladensis.

Andreas, Finiborensis.

Joannes, Laonensis.

Fr. Oliverius, Dromorensis.

Fr. Antonius, Clonmacnoisensis.

Fr. Hugo, Duacensis.

Fr. Arturus, Dunensis et Connerensis.

Fr. Terentius, Imolacensis.

Fr. Patritius, Ardachadensis.

Oliverius Deise, Procurator Episcopi Midensis

Dr. Joannes Hussei, Procurator Ep. Ardfertensis.

Fr. Joannes Cantwell, Abbas S. Crucis.

Dr. Thadaeus Clery, Procurator Episcopi Eapotensis

Fr. Gregorius O'Ferrall, Provincialis ord. Praed.

Fr. Thomas MacKiernan, Provincialis fratrum min.

"Walterus, Ep. Clonfertensis, Congregationis Secietarius.

106 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Letter of tlie Bisliops assembled at Clonmacnoise to the Nunzia
Rinucciiii, 13th December,' 1649.

Illme. et Revme. Dne.

Tam vehemens hac tempestate banc patriam inundavit
malorum torrens, fame pedetentim ingruente, peste grassante et
Bello omnia vastante, perilluviem Puritanicam quam Anglia
nuper in nostras oras evomuit aperto ore ubique protestantem
Missae exercitium nuUibi permissum iri ubi Parliamentum,
Angliae potietur rerum, ut non obstantibus quibusdam antehac
distantiis inter nos positis unanimiter omnes extrema necessitate
coacti nobis operae pretium duxerimus nostras omnium yires in
unum conjungere ad quoscumque movendos lapides ut citius ac
melius hosti communi valeamus resist ere. Quare in paterna. Y.
lUmae. Dnis. cura erga nos confidentes quam suppliciter
rogamus ut post habitis oblivionique traditis occasionibus quibus.
Dnio. V. Illma. hue usque offensa existit, praesentem neces-
sitatem nostram ob oculos solum habens, Agentes a nobis eo
destinatos in suis obtinendis petitionibus promovere et adjuvare
dignetur, pro Deo. religione ac patria et ita vestras sacras manus
deosculamur.

E-me. et Illme. Dne.

Observantissimi filii.
No signatures are given.

Letter of the Bishop of Clonmacnoise, 17th December, 1652.

lUm. Dne.

Alteras ante has adillmam. D. V. litterasdedi in quibus-
quam breviter rationem reddidi de miseria Hj^berniae, et ne
lortasse ad manus sacras vestras non pervenerint, ecce tibi status
noster. Haeretici Angli tenent omnia nostra. Soli Ultonienses.
cunctando restituunt rem Statuerunt (Angli) ne quis Praelatus.
Clericus aut Peligiosus vivat in ista patria praesertim ullus eorum
quia adhaeserunt lateri vestro quorum unus ego ultimo fere
anno in Sylvis vitam degi, nee tecta aliqua aut mea aut alien a
subire propter imminentem persequtionis gladium licuit.
Tandem expulsus minis hue relegatus sum. D. LaghKnen
ventures erat in altera nave, eadem nocte qua ego navem con-^
scendi. D. Dxmen, occisus est in mari : D. Waterfordien.
mortuus est Nannati : D. Ardaghaden. vivit ibidem. Ex quo-
hue appuli decollaverunt dicti haeretici 40 viros nobiles. D.
Terentium vestrum Coghla:n fsi non inter eos) adhuc in vinculis-
retinent, spoliaverunt fere omnibus bonis ; ejus filii duo major
et minor natu defuncti sunt. Dna. Maria plorat quotidie.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN ChOxVMAC.NOISE. 107'

Actum denique est de tota istius Regiii Republica, fide et bonis.
Inter has laehrymas, augustias et miserias interque exilli
tenuitatem et fortunaruni jacturam non parum solatii foret
accipere quomodo V. Illma. Dtio. si habet. Cui omnem feli-
citatem precatur admultos annos.

E Conventu Franciscanorum Madriti.

17tb December, 1652.

Unis. V. Illmae.

Servus addictissimus,
Fr. Autonius McGeoghegau,

Epus. Clunmacnosensis.
Illmo. Principi Firmano, &c.

4. Decrees of the Bishops and Clergy of the Province of
Armagh, assembled at Clochuactir, in the Diocese of Kil-
more, the 29th July, 1651.

This place is known by the modern name of Lough Oughter,
which is situated not far from Kilmore, in the County of
Cavan. The island in the lake is said to have been formed by
dropping stones into it. The ruins of the castle of Lough
Oughter still exist. The OTtorkes and the O'Reillys of
Breffny, betimes held sway there, and made it the centre of
many notable events. Amongst the virtues of these Chieftains
was love of their Church and its pastors.

(From the Rinuccini MSS.)

In Dei nomine, Amen.

Incipiunt acta congregationis utriusque Cleri provinciae-
Ardmachanae, coactae die 29° mensis Julii, 1651, in loco qui
dicitur Clochuactir, Dioecesis Kilmorensis per 111. D. Hugonem
Archiepiscopum Ardmachanum et totius Hiberniae Primateni,
eidem congregationi praesidentem, assistentibus Peverendissimis
D.D. Eugenio Kilmorensi, et Antonio Cluanmacnosiensi
Episcopis, et Procuratore Reverendissimi Dunensis et reliquis.

Imprimis peracto Missae sacrificio et habita concione, pro
quibusdam negotiis ma j oris momenti in congregatione propositis
aliquot ex utroque clero ad discutiendum et ponderandum,
rationes et motiva et ad deter minandum deputati sunt quorum
resolutionem ac determinationem ob rationes huic congregationi
visas hie inserere non fuit consultum. Deinde patres con-
gregationis ad alia procedentes decreverunt ut sequitur.

108 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

1. Statuimus et ordinamus ut deinceps omnes et singuli, qui
agunt praedas, rapinas, vel furta ex bonis Catholicorum con-
tribuentium ad utilitatem publicam, cujuscumque gradus vel
conditionis illi praedones, raptores, vel fures sint in quarteriis
haereticoruin vel extra, absque authoritate publica comitiorum
regni vel provinciae in qua degunt, ipso facto sint excom-
raunicati, utpote Republieae perniciosi, turn quia exercitum
Catholicum dimiuuunt et dispergunt, tiun quia inter vicinos et
amicos inimicitias excitant, idque sine uUo Republicae emo-
lumento ; eraptores et receptores talis praedae, rapinae, vel furti
restitution! obnoxios esse absque spe a proprietariis recipiendi
pretii declaramus.

2. Insuper decernimus ut Colonelli, Capitanei, et locum-
tenentes, qui vocati a potestatem babentibus ad castra, interim
domi nianeant absque licentia Proregis, vel Generalis, vel Pro-
^•incialis Concilii, ipso facto sint excommunicati, sciantque in
stipendiis receptis se restitutioni esse obnoxios.

3. Statuimus etiam ut quivis sacerdos sive saecularis sive
regularis pro populo celebraturus ante Missarum solemnia
diebus Dominicis et Festis, comminatorie promulget, ut
nuUus officialis eques vel gregarius miles de exercitu Catbolico
divinis non intersit : item promulgent ut nuUus de populo
victum vel bospitium taliter se absentanti suppeditet et sub
poena suspensionis a divinis.

4. Quia bonae memoriae Excellentissimus D. Eugenius
O'Neill, quondam Generalis exercitus Catbolici in Hibernia, in
ultima sua capitulatione cum Ormonio et sequasibus gloriose
obtinuit quod antequam se illis conjungeret, se obligarent ad
absolutionem a censuris 111. D. Nuncii a sua sanctitate peten-
dam, insistendum esse talis promissionis petitioni praesens con-
gregatio censet, et statuit ut nuUus Episcopus bujus Provinciae
in Assemblaeis vel Comitiis Generalibus regni assideat, nisi
prius impetrato et obtento beneficio dictae promissionis : borta-
tur etiam omnes et singulos Provinciae nobiles (prout de bonore
tenentur) ut non assideant tamquam membra in aliquibus comi-
tiis nisi prius requisito et obtento beneficio praefatae promis-
sionis.

5. Praesens Congregatio declarat et protestatur ejectionem
111. D. Nuncii Apostolici buic nationi imputari non debere, cum
major et sanior pars regni, nobilimn cleri et popidi in illam
expulsionem non concenserit : quae etiam sanior pars adamus-
sim censuras ejusdem 111. D. Nuncii latas observavit ; sed dicta
ejectio facta est a quibusdam scbismaticis in regimine existenti-
bus, qui a reliquis confoederatis decKnarunt.

6. Sub poena excommunicationis probibemus ut nuUus sive
■clericus sive laicus ab baereticis vel aliis usurpatoribus decima

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISK. 109'

conducat sine titulariorura clericormu vel proprletariorum licen-
tia et consensu.

7. Yolumus et declaramus ut personis Ecclesiasticis iinmu-
nitas per canones et Concilia Oecumencia concessa in liac pro-
^'incia oljservetur. Per hoc tamen non intendimus nt praefatae
personae sint omnino immunes a contribuendo ad praesens bellum
pro ratione facultatiini vel prout discretioni Ordinarii vel Metro-
politani consentaneum videbitur, sicut niillus in his regni angus-
tiis a pubKcis contributionibus eximendus est, excejDtis medican-
tibus.

8. Caeterum haec Congregatio censet et declarat serenissi-
mum Lotharingiae Duceni esse CathoKcorum hujus regni Re-
giuni Protectorem, eumqiie tanquam talem acceptat et obviis.
idnis amplectitur et sub poena excommunicationis latae sen-
tentiae, ne idlus cujuscumque conditionis vel gradus ille sit,,
attentare praesumat contrarium asserere per se vel per aliuni
directe vel indirecte occulte vel manifeste, prohibit.

9. Statuimus et ordinamus ut acta hujus Congregationis
singidis mensibus per singulos Pegulares conventus et parrochias
hujus Provinciae inter Missarum solemnia promulgentum idque
incipere debeant prima Dominica post habitam notitiam actorum :
injungimus etiam ordinariis ut ea publicari curent. Die 29 Julii,
1651.

10. De consensu Peverandissimorum D.D. et Patrum dele-
gati sunt ex utroque clero ad assistendum. Ill, D. Primati et
Revmo D. Kilmorensi in perficiendis et obsolvendis reliquis
negotiis ; videlicet, e clero saeculari Rev. admodum D. Thomas.
Brady, Archidiaconus Kilmorensis ; Rev. D. Joannes Thie,
Decanus Clocherensis ; et Rev. D. Donatus Georgan, Decanus
Kilmorensis ; vel aKquo eorum deficiente aut impedito, Rev. D.
Bernardus Kelly, Pastor Kilmorensis : e clero vero regulari Rev.
admodum Antonius Geogheganus, Abbas de Kilbeggan ; Rev.
admodum P. Thomas Mac Kiernan, Minoritarum exprovinciaKs ;
Rev. P. Jacobus Crelly, Prior de Carlingford ; vel aliquo eonmi
impedito, Rev. P. Antonius Gavanus, guardianus de Cavan.
Caeterum omnes Congregationis Patres infra scripti gratum et
ratiun habituri sunt, quidquid per tales delegatos determina-
bitur.

11. Praeterea iisdem delegatis Congregatio committit ut
curam relin quant Revmo. D. Cluainmacnosiensi Episcopi et D.
Nicholae Bern procuratori Reverendissimi Dunensis, et R. ad-
modum D. Antonio Geoghegan Abbati de Kilbeggan ; ut mentem
et acta hujus Congregationis praelatis sinceris reliquarum pro-
vinciarum intiment, eosque rogent ut dignentur sedulo in suis
respective provinciis formam horum actormn imitari.

12. Deinde Reverendissimo D. Cluainmacnosiensi et D.

110 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Nicolao Bern commitenda est cura per delegates, ut communl-
cent nobilibus et primariis viris in exercitu CathoHco decreta
et acta hujus Congregationis. Die 30 Julii, 1651.
-Catalogus eorum huic Congregationi interfuernnt :

Hugo, ArcMep. Ardmaclianus et totius Hiberniae Primas.

Eugenius, Kibnorensis Episcopus.

Fr. Antonius Cluainmacnosiensi Ep.

Antonius, Geogbegan, Prior de Conalmor.

N icolaus Bern, Procurator Ep. Dunensis.

Antonius Geogbegan, Abbas de Kilbeggan.

Terentius Conally, Abbas de Cluaneis.

Ferdinandus Feriallj^ Prior de Druimleamb.

Pbilippus Smitb, Prior S. Joannis de Kells.

Tbomas Brady, Arcbidiaconus Clocborensis.

Donatus Georgan, Decanus Kilmorensis.

Joannes Tby, Decanus Clocborensis.

Patritius Daly, Vicarius Generalis Ardmacbanus.

Fr. Tbomas Makiernan, Exprovincialis Minorum.

Fr. Jacobus Krelly, Prior de Carlingford.

Fr. Laurentius Foerallus, Prior de Longford.

Henricus Mellanus, ordinis Minorum pater.

Fr. Antonius Gavanus, Guardianus de Cavan.

Fr, Franciscus Ferallus, Guard. Montisfernandi, provin-

ciae pater.
Fr. Carolus Kelly, Guardianus de Drogbedaba.
Fr. Jacobus Tirellus, Guardianus S. Joannis Baptistae.
Fr. Lucas TuUius, Guardianus de Dundalk.
Fr. Antonius Heslenan, Guardianus de Muntereolois.
Fr. Malacbias Corcoran, definitor.
Edraundus Matbaeus, Yicarius Mackererois.
Tubus Canally, Rector de Galven.
Fr. Bonaventura Hugonis, Guardianus de Lisgavail.
Fr. Antonius Wardaeus, Guardianus de Monacban.
Fr. Dionysius Megby, Guardianus Dunensis. Bernardus

Kelly, Pastor de Kilmore, 1651.

Dicto Te Deumlaudamus, explicit baec Congregatio, die 1st
Augusti, 1651.

De mandato 111. D. Hugonis, Arcbiepiscopi Ardmacbani
et totius.

Hib. Primatis et Congregationis Praesidis, et reliquorum
Patrum.

Jacobus Gavanus, Congregationis Secretarius.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. Ill

Letter of the Bishop of Clonmacnoise, 4th Jan., 1653.

Illme. &c.

Aliqiias jam literas ad D. V. Ill, dedi, ex quo hue in
•exilium missus sum quibus quam breviter rationem de statu
Hiberniae reddere conatus sum. Dnis. V. T. humanitas eximia,
et singularis charitas erga me olim in Hibernia cogunt toties
quoties molestum me in scribendis ad 111. D. Y. in gratiar.
actionem litteris Praelati, Clerici &c. qui praesertim adhaese-
runt lateri vro., et viae veritatis, expulsi, quorum Dunen. occisus
est, Waterfordien. obiit Naneti, Ardagh. vivit ibid. Laghlinen.
venit Bilbao Ego postquam ultimum annum in speluncis
et sylvis vitam vixi tandem coactus sum hue venire, ubi vivitur
exiguo. Soli Ultonien. adhuc conabantur se praeservare hosti
non succumbendo, jam crevit eorum scintilla (ut hie quotidie
aeeipimus) in magnam flammam ; 1,400 enim : ut ajunt) milites
sunt. Narratur hie etiam, qd. Conacem., Lageniensesq. resur-
gunt contra haeretieos. Tandemq. Momonier. cum 3,000 viris
eos consequuntur passib. acquis. Omnes ad unum consurgunt
tarn nobiles, quam generosi cum suis sequaeib., venit et opilio,
tardi venere bubulci. Faxit D. 0. M. ut sit verum sieut aeei-
pimus, ut tandem ad gregem meum lieeat mihi redire, et cum iis
in oseulo pacis mori.

Interim 0 Illme. mi. Dne. nil mihi magis in votis est, quam
sacra Aplor. PP. liniina deosculari posse, et plantas pedum S.
Sanctitatis, et SS. charissimasq. Illmae. D. V. manus, et
Bmae. Virginis habitaeulum Lauretanum &e. et ut voti compos
fieri valeam suppliciter deprecor 111. D. V. ad me scribere, ut
recptis litteris animosier ad tanti tam longiq. itineris onus red-
dar. Interim (mode negotium vobis non faeessat) Eplam.
Vram expectatum habeo. &e.

E. Conv. Franciscan. Matriten. 4 Jan., 1653.

Fr. Ant. Me. Geogheganus, Eps. Clumnacnossen.

5. Letter of Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Cashel, from Compos-
tella, 30th Nov., 1653, to the Bishop of Clonmacnoise, in
Rome.

(From the Rinuccini MSS.)

Illustrissimam Dominationem vestram etiam atque etiam
.rogo ut cum, eo te teneas loco quo et Deo et patriae inservire

112 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

valeas, suae sanctitati quam possis humillime supplices quatenus^
suam Praelatis aliquibus et aliis personis deleget authoritatem
absolvendi eos qui timent ne censuras ab 111. D. Archiepiscopo
Firmano, Nuncio Apostolico, fulminatas contraxerint : alii enim
tiraoratae, alii laxioris sunt conscientiae. Poterit Doininatio.
Yestra Illustrissima in mentem revocare quid Praelati omnes in
sua ipsius Ecclesia domoque Cluanmacnosiensi congregati in
bunc finem generaliter decreverint. Quod autem ad me attinet
bumillime imploro mibi et gregi meo suae sanctitatis benedic-
tionem et absolutionem ej usque authoritatem mihi ipsi aut
altericoncedendam qao generaliter absolvantur, nam ego et ipsis
et mibi boc bumiliter et serio exopto. Dominationem Vestram
Reverendissimam in gregis mei satisfactionem et spiritualem
incolumitatem pro ea qua in sues populares fertur cbaritate
adeo bac in re spero laboraturam et successurus sit effectus quern,
tontopore in votis babet.

Tester bumillimus et obsequentissimus servus,

Thomas Cassiliexsis.

Compostellae, ultimo Novembris, 1653.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 113

The following is a most remarkable document, and well
worthy of perusal. There have been famines in this generation,
but none so bad as that referred to in this letter : —

6. Letter of Rev, Peter Talbot, S.J., from Antwerp, to the
Bishop of Clonmacnoise, in Rome, 3rd July, 1654.
(From the Rinuccini MSS.)
Illustrissime et Reverendissime Domine,

lUustrissimae Dominationis Vestrae humanitas in fratrera
meum et memet Madriti demonstrata postulat jure merito
saltem ejusdem agnitionem, quam praesto, oiierendo tibi ex
corde integro ac sincero meum obsequium. Hand dubito quin
de ilia calamitosissima patria nonnihil audire cupias. ISTullam
historia sacra, nee prophana ullam ipsi in miseriis similem f uisse
tradit. Talis tyrannis nunquam memoriae tradita fuit. Ego
ubi a Te Madriti discesseram, recta Londinum trajeci cum
Regis Catholici Uteris ad suum Legatum ut suae Majestatis
nomine saltem sacerdotum permissionem obtinere conaretur.
Ipsi ob oculos posui quantopere id foret necessarium et quan-
tam in Aula Hispanica expertus essem pietatem ac propeusionem
abhibendi remedium, Ille mihi ad prandium urbanissime invi-
tato dixit, Parlamento tunc dissolute nihil praestari posse usque
ad novi Parlamenti convocationem post sex menses successuram,
addens rem melius peragendam modo Agentes ex Hibernia ad
res temporales tractandas accederent, quibusipsein spiritualibus
faveret, corumque conatus secundaret, subjunxitque et HoUan-
dum centui'ionem, et Jesuitas Anglicanos suae sententiae sub-
scrip turos, cum tamen et hos et ilium in meam ivisse repererim.
Itaque Londino in Hiberniam transivi et idem, quod alii peri-
culum subivi. Procuravi quoque ut Agentes in Angliam desti-
nandi nominarentur. . . . Novo Parlamento convocato
frater mens cum Agentibus in Angliam trajecit. . . . Ne
uno quidem verbo Legatus intercedere voluit ; alii tamen in se
receperunt futurum ut modo quingentae librae annuae solveren-
tur, cum sacerdotibus conniveretur ; quae summa ablata, sed
incassum, proindeque nee pensa nee exacta fuit. Demum usur-
ps ta a Protectore Cromwello authoritate adeo absoluta et Ora-
toie cum ipso f oedus percutiente ad hunc a meis Praelatis missus
f ui tentaturus si quid praestare vellet, cui persuadere non potui
ut rem vel semel proponeret poUicitus tamen a se proponendmn
modo Cromwellus in regem electus fuerit. Hoc est quod circa
negotium istud Londini successit ex quo duobus mensibus
■elapsis ex Hibernia discesseram. Jam decimus quartus dies
agitur ex quo Londino profectus sum, ubi omnium quas imagi-
neris confusionum est maxima ab ipso Cromwello (sicut plerique
•conjectant) concitata, quo res novaturos in carcerem conjiciendi
occasionem pariat, ne suae ipsius menti intercedant. Nunc

9

114 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Papistis et sacerdotibus caplendis operam dat ex quorum ultiniis:
quatuor in custodiam dati sunt et ex primis innumerabiles quo-
rum viginti sunt Hiberni, omnes cujusvis conspirationis perinde
innocentes atque 111. Dominatio Vestra. Creditur futurum ut
terribiliorem nasci faciat persecutionem. Talis estcui nemo fidat
et tamen multos deludit. Mihi occurrit sacerdos Anglus in An-
gliam proficiscens, qui dixit suam sanctitatem Tideri bonam do
D. Protectoris prolixa in Catbolicos volimtate concipere opinio-
nem. Eisi. Qualis sit, tempus docebit. Quod ad Hiberniam
spectat, in exequenda transplantione proceditur, et licet Equiti
Roberto atque aliis a Eegno, quo ea supersederetur missis re-
sponderint non exequendimi et per sex septimanas suspensa
fuerit nihilominus cum hue accitus fui, de novo decreverant ut
omni cum severitate executioni mandaretur, quod perinde est
ac unius anni spatio universam Hiberniae nobilitatem et popu-
lum fame enecare. Per tribunum Axtellum earn conditionem
haeretici obtulerunt, ut ii qui Papismo et Missae renunciarent
eximerentur, sed ne unus quidem illorum conditionem admisit.
Praescripsimus ut universia natio tribus Sabbathis in pane et
aqua jejimarent, Poenitentiae Sacramento peccata expiarent et
secram Eucbaristiam sumerent.

Quod ab omnibus toto regno ita praestitum, ut ipsi infantuli
tres vel quatuor annos natio magno rigore jejunium observarent,.
baeriticis ea propter valde indignatis. In Conacia conditio baec
erit, nempe ut ipsis ibi latifimdia, sicut eorum armenta cxigunt,
assignentur, quae portio erit parva nimis : exampli causa, Dun-
boinniae Baroni triginta jugera decreverimt, et sic de caeteris.
In boc etiam statu oportebit ut in Conacia inter se septuagenta
praesidia Anglicana sustentent, cumque omnes eorum facultates
absumptae fuerint, viri et foeminae viginti solidis singuli in-
Araericae insulas transportandi venalitiariis venumdebantur,
quo modo jam tractati fuere bono loco nati, viri nobiles et agro-
rum avitorum possessores ; praeterea ex vulgo milleni nomina
dare cogimtur et singuli viginti solidis venduntur. In illo regno-
nibil videre est nisi lamentationes, ululationes, palmarum com-
plosiones, imprecationes. Maledicunt Ormonio, maledicunt
Regi et Papae ejusque Nuncio et clero et denique sibi ipsis
quod unquam nati fuerint. Deus ipsos consoletur. Quod ad
me ipsum attinet licet mandata ad me prebendendimi exierint
nihilominus mihi decretum est cmn ipsis illic mori, mox atque
superiores mihi facerint redeimdi potestatem.

Quod nunc possumus baud aliud est quam ut eos et a pec-
catis absolvamus, et ad alteram vitam praeparemus. In Hiber-
iiia baud extant decem familiae quibus suppetatunde sexmenses^
pane et lacte victitent ; quod in tractibus quos ipse f requenta-
verini experientia comperi et a primariis viris nobilibus ex omni
illius infelicis regni parte oriundis certo didici.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSTOX IN CLONMACXOISE. 115

The Right Rev. Dr. Geoghegan was translated to Meath,
in 1657.

THE RIGHT REY. DR. SHIAL
succeeded as
Vicar Apostolic, in the government of this See.
He was one of the subscribing witnesses to the famous letter
of the Bishop and Clergy of the Province of Armagh, to the
Holy See, in defence of the Primate, Edmond O'Reilly. The
letter bears date, 13th Dec, 1660, and shall be found amongst
the Ardagh collections.

THE RIGHT REV. EDMOND JAI^GE

succeeded as
Vicar Apostolic, in the government of this See.
He was present at the Provincial Council, held at Armagh,
A.D. 1670.

THE RIGHT REV. DR. MORIARTY KEARNEY

succeeded as
Vicar Apostolic, in the government of this See, a.d. 14th
Dec, 1683.

THE RIGHT REV. DR. FALLON

was elected Bishop of Clonmacnoise, on the 17th May,
1688, by the Sacred Congregation. James 11. sent to his
Holiness a supplication for this appointment.

"Die 17 Maii,1688, referente Card. Alterio, S.S. providit
ad supplicationem Angliae et Hiberniae regis, Ecclesiae Clua-
nenn ; alias Clonmacnoise ecclesiae Cluanen alias Clonmacnoise
in Hibernia. de persona R. D. Gregorii Fallon, presbyteri
at que concessit in administrationem ecclesiam Ardacaden, alias
Ardagh ensem. etiam in Hibernia, attenta earundem ecclesiarum
iuopia iuxta decretum congregationis Consistorialis, cum in-
dulto suscipiendi munus consecrationis ab uno Catholico Epis-
copo, assistentibus sibi duabus dignitatibus, etc, quodque
decanatus ecclesiae Elphinen., quem obtinet, per hujusmodi
provisionem vacet eo ipso." — Barberini.

On the 1st of July, 1697, Dr. Fallon obtained a second
Provision to Clonmacnoise, with Ardagh in Administration.

116 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

*' Die lo Julii, 1697, Marescottus pro De Alteriis absente praeco-
nizavit ecclesias Clonmacnoise et Ardacaden ; vac prima viz., a
multis annis per obitum illius ultimi Pastoris, altera vero per
translationem, E,. P. D. Patritii Pluncbet ad ecclesiam Miden '*
" Civitates Cluanen, et Ardachaden, in Hib. sitae sunt provinc.
Armaclianen, in Panicie (sic Conatia?) prima circuitus dimidii
altera vero unius integri milliaris. Continentos multos habita-
tores et subjacent Pegi."

" In dictis civitatibus non sunt nisi Catbedralium vestigia
ideoque ibi nulla est residentia seu habitatio pro Episcopo, et
sacramenta a diver sis presby teris in privatis domibus ac etiam in
montibus administrantur." " Fructus taxantur inlibris camerae.
Yidelicit : — Cluanen ad floren 33|. Ardacbaden. vero ad floren.
etiam 33^, similiter tamen nulli sunt," etc., quippeusurpati etc.
ab bereticis.

Promovendus ad supplicationem Pegis Angliae etc., Grego-
rius Fallon, de legitimo matrimonio ex bonestis Catbolicisque
parentibus in diocesi Elpbinen, est procreatus. octuagenario
major, a 50 circiter annis presbyter. Juris utriusque Doctor, in
ecclesiasticis functionibus bene versatus. vir gravis prudens ac
usu rerum praestans et ad presens ecclesia Elpbinen Decanus "
"Supplicat. etc., Episcopum Cluanen: et in admLinistratorem
Ardachaden, etc." — Casanatensian.

In June, 1697, the Bishop-Elect of Clonmacnoise, and the
Bishops of Candia and Tinia, memorialed the Camera for remis-
sion of their tax : —

" Em^ e Rev™ Signori, Grregorio Fallone, eletto per le
chiese Cluanen, et Ardachaden. in Ibernia (hie sequunter Epis-
copi Candiae et Tinae), humillissimi oratori dell'E.E. V. Y.
ri ver en tamen te gl' espongono. Che nel Consistoro tenutosi il
di 8 Giugno pross^, supplicarono L. E.E. Y.V. affinche per la
poverta delle loro chiese come pienamente veniveo expresso nel
memoriale presentato in detto tempo (quale si supplica riassu-
mere), non potavano riportare dalla sede Apostolica la spedi-
tione delle Bolle per la confermatione Apostolica, e benigna-
mente n-ebbero gratiosa intentione per la gratia della via secreta,
ma perche a causa che in detta mattina fu dalla Santita sua
dato il Capello all' E™° Sig. Card. Caraffa. non hebbero campo
L. E.E. V.Y. di porre in executione, della quale ne suppli-
cano hoi'a riverentamente gl' oratori, concedendogli la spedi-
tione delle loro chiese per via secreta, che etc."

" Per Giorgio (sic) Fallone, eletto vescovo Cluanen, et
Ardachaden, in Ibernia.

" All E"i° et Eev"^° Sig^' II Sig^ Card*^ Casanate."

«cj^me g^ Pev™® D"'^ ; — Dignetur E.V. riassumere memoriale

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 117

porrectum in proximo presente Consistorio pro ecclesiis Cluanen.
ct Ardachaden. in Hibernia pro R. D. Gregorio Fallon, qua in
sequente proponet Rev™'^^ D. Palatins Card, de Alteriis." — Casa-
natensain.

In 1668 Gregory Fallon had been mentioned before the
Propaganda for an irish bishopric. He was then at Bologna.
His signature will be found attached to the following important
LETTERS : —

10. Letter of Irish Bishops from St. Germain, to the Pope,
18th February, 1692.

(From the Vatican Archives )

S. Germain, 18'^ Februarii, 1692.

Beatissime Pater,

Cum Apostolicae Yestrae Beatitudinis charitas amplissima
totum qua late patet mundum complectatur ; cum Ecclesiarum
particularium incolumitas a S*""® Sedis Apostolicae solicitudine
secundum Deum pendeat : cum ex antiquissima et Evangelica
coaeva traditione Episcopi, sive temporum iniquitate sive
hominum malitia, sedibus suis ejecti ad eandem sanctam sedem,
velut ad tutissimum asylum et paratum divinitus perfugium
recurrerint semper, nee unquam spe sua falsi fuerint ; Nos
Regni Hiberniae Episcopi, ob bellorum iniquitatem, et violentiam
Haereticorum, in Galliam ad tempus delati, egentes, angustiati,
afflicti, ad sacros Y^^ S"'' pedes accedimus, ejus opem in rebus
afflictissimis et pene deploratis imploraturi. Ut autem S*^^ Y''^
certior sit mutationum, quae apud nos Sexennio contigerunt eas
breviter referre plurimum intereose visum est. Post diuturnam
sesqui saeculi circiter persecution em acerbam, Orthodoxi in
Hibernia respirare coeperunt, ubi Divina Providentia post
Tarias tempestates et reciprocantis fortunae vicissitudines
Jacobum per ignota hominibus diverticula ad avitum solium
deduxit. Is conf estim dedit cunctis conscientiae libertatem qua
Catholici etiam fruerentur, abrogatis quae in eos latae erant
logibus, capacesque fierent oificiorum civilium ac militarium.
llos subinde promovit maxime quando Haereticorum perfidia
( X Anglia pulsus ad Hibernos in ofl&cio constantes accessit.
Tunc enimvero sub pio Principe Ecclesiae redditae sunt ortho-
doxis, altaria Ecclesiis, sacerdotes altaribus, et omnibus
mysteriorum nostrorum augustissimum incruentum sacrificium
sacrosancta Eucharistia. His bonis praesentibus et copiosae spe
messis praeterita damna solabamur. Yerum Auriaci adventus
et victoriae occulto Dei judicio ejus armis concessae omnia
pessum dederunt; Tunc ereptae sunt Catholicis Ecclesiae,
altaria eversa , conjecti in fugam Sacerdotes, divina mysteria

118 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

impedita, violatae res sacrae nee non lugubre exitium atque
ingens vastatio agris, tectis et urbibus illata, secuta est denique
Limerici deditio, luctuosa quidem, quod una totum Eegnurn
dedebatur, necessaria tamen ob annonae defectum et incertuiu
suppetiarum adventum per tot maria bostium classibus infesta,
bonestis quidem facta conditionibus, sed infidis, quod earum
Yis a comitiorum Anglia ratibabitione penderet, quorum in
Catbolicuni nomen odium plusquam vatineanum, cunctis per-
spectum erat. Hinc tametsi promitteretur in factis conventis
tale Religionis exercitmn quale sub Carolo 2° fuerat, id nemo
tamen sperabat quod a Comitiis unquam esset approbandum,
uti res ipsa, postea demons travit. Siquidem lege denuo lata,
et ab Auriaco confirmata vetitum est Catbolicis uUum gerere
officium civile aut militare, causas f orenses actitare, mercaturum
aut ullam aliam artem etiam infimam exercere, uspiam in
Hibernia, nisi admissa prius testa (test), uti vocant, quae
baereseos tessera est, et dissertam controversorum fidei capitum
continet abjurationem, ut vel sic necessitas Catbolicis im-
poneretur aut deserendi fidem aut fame pereundi. Hoc prae-
videntes prudentiores quique Catbolici, maluerunt voluntarium.
cum libero Religionis exercitio exilium, quam infidam quietem
ab bostium arbitrio pendulam. Hinc pro Deo proque Religione
Patriam Laresque Paternos deseruere ut Deo peregre tutius
inservirent.

Habet bic S*''^ Y'^^ Status nostri rationem ; videt Religionem
pene extingui, quae non ita pridem incipiebat florere et totum
E-egnmn occupabat, videt Gentem Catbolicam St^^*^ Sedi
Apostolicae devotissimam funditus everti, Nos denique videt ad
sacros ejus pedes provolutos, ejus opem nun quam frustra
speratam in rebus afflictissimis implorantes. Quod autem a
gte yra infimis precibus petimus ut praesentium malormn leva-
men, et adversus instantia praesidium, est : —

1°. Ut ad placandimi Deum bominum peccatis iratum, eosdem
concesso aliquo Jubilaeo ad meliorem vitam invite t, et vero
publicae Ecclesiae calamitates id efflagitare videntur, certe, alias,
longe minores ob causas ad misericordiae Divinae Thronum
recursum fuit.

2°. Ut S*^^ V'^ Cbristianae Republicae calamitates ex diu-
turno boc bello ortas, Paterno affectu miserata, dignetur
Oatbolicos inter principes pacem conciliare, qua nibil, boc
tempore, potest esse opportunius, nibil magis necessarium, turn
ad resarcienda quam plurima eaque gravissima danma occasions
bujus foederis cum Haereticis initi Catbolicae Ecclesiae in
multis Europae partibus, maxime in nostris, jam illata, turn ad
avertenda alia longe graviora, eidem in posterum certo certius
inferenda, ubicumque Haereticorum invaluerit potestas, boa

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 119

^nim in Catholicae fidei perniciem omnia sua studia et anna
semper intendere quis ignorat ?

3°. Ut ope et opera S*^^^ V''^® porta Regi nostro Jacobo 2° ad
Paterna Regna postliminio revocanda patefiat, absque quo niilla
Religionis in tribus Eegnis augendae spes est, perexigua vero
ejus reliquias conservandi, et certe cum multae virtu turn pre-
rogativae Regem nostrimi S*^ Y^^^ plurimum commendant, timi
praecipue pietas in Deum et Catholicae E-eligionis promovendae
zelus, ilium de Sancta Matre Ecclesia probant eximie bene
meritum, nemini enim dubium esse potest quin ille potuisset
usque Regnorvun suorum pacifice potiri, si a fide recedere, si
Catholicos persequi et supprimerc, vel si serenissimum Walliue
]3rincipem filimn suum et Haeredem in Heterodoxa Religione
educandmn Cantuarensi Archiepiscopo Protestanti permittere,
in animam induxisset ; at ille divino zelo ornatus statutum
babuit fidem palam profiteri, illaesum firmiter servare, pro
Tiribus propagare, cultores ejus protegere et fovere, rerumque
omnium, j)otiusquam fidei, jacturam facere ; nee non praedictum
Serenissimmn filiiun sumn maluit expositimi incertitudini
Paternae baereditatis olim adeundae, quam Catbolica educatione
privatum, ut jam non immerito Sedis Apostolicae patrocinium
Hegi nostro videamur efflagitare qui, pro Apostolica fide tuenda
augendaque, tot dispendia et pericula subire non dubitavit.
Hinc itaque Beatissime Pater spe ducimur certa fore ut S*^* V""*
pro sua singulari vereque Apostolica Charitate, Regis nostri
defensionem hoc difiicili tempore suscipiat eique auxilia ferat
opportuna quibus sua Pegna ab iniquissima valeat usurpatione
vindicare.

Hoc Sedis Apostolicae honos, hoc Pegiae causae justitia,
utilitas Peligionis, Ecclesiarum maxime nostrarum necessitas,
et tot animarum aeterna salus, nimiuni quantum persuadent.
Quin etiam ex hoc, ad S^^^ Vrae parta jam apud Deum pro
nierita, accessio fiet perennis gloriae maximae. Postremo ut
hoc nostri exilii tempore, quod brevissimum fore speramus,
Sanctitas Yestra non gravetur inopiam nostram sane maximam
sublevare, ut enim Serenissimus Pex, pro virili nobis sub-
venire conetur, tamen munificehtissimi Principis exhaustmn
aerarium voluntati non respondet. Itaque recurrere cogitnur ad
■ certissimum afflictorum perfugium Beatitudinis Yestrae sinmn,
cujus Liberalitas Deum habebit Pemuneratorem. Is Beati-
tudinem Yeslram longa et felicissima A^aletudine Ecclesiae suae
servet incolmnen. Ad sacros ergo pedes provoluti Apostolicam
benedictionem expectamus.

Beatissime Pater
Beatitudinis Yestrae.

120 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Himiillimi obsequentissimi addictissimi servi et filii in,
Christo.

Dominicus, Archiep^* Armacanus,

Jacobus, Arcbiep"^ Tuamensis.

Dominicus, Episcopus Elfinensis.

Joannes, Ljinericensis Episcopus, Administrator Laoensis.

Petrus, Corcagiensis et Cloyenensis Episcopus.

Gregorius, Episcopus Clunmacnosiensis.

11. Letter of Irisb Bishops from Paris, Stli December, 1692, to-
the Secretary of Propaganda.

(From the Vatican Archives.)

Illustrissime et Revme Dne Patronne Colendissime Domine-

Patriarcha Constantinopolitane, S. C. de Propaganda Fide

a Secretis.

Parisiis, 8th Decembris, 1692.

Ex campsoriis litteris quas die vigesuna prima ultimi
Octobris ad nos transmisit Dominatio V. Illma, nos hie die 24^
mensis Novembris proxime elapsi accepimus atque inter nos
aequaliter partiti sumus illud peropportunum trecentorum
scutornni subsidiimi, quod Eminentissimi D. D. S. Congre-
gationis de Propaganda Fide Cardinales annuente Ssmo D. N.
nobis tribuendum statuerunt ; et eadem die duplicatam illius
summae syngrapham notris fere omnium subscriptionibus fir-
matam dedimus. Et hoc est super quo certiorem te faceremus,
voluisti. Quod reliquum est, Illustrissime Domine, cum de tua
in nos benevolentia singulari, qua et nos tibi maxime obstrictos
habes, plurimum nobis boni officii poUicemur. Non dubitamus
te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogare, quatenus, quae tua
hiimanitas est, velis pro nobis, et nostrum omnium nomine
summas et obsequentissimas gratias agere Suae Sanctitati et
predictis Eminentissimis D.D. Patronis nostris colendissimis,
quod nostras nostraeque gentis calamitates tanta benignitate
misereri dignentur et sublevare.

Nos interim Deum 0. M. enixe oramus ut eorum charitatem
copiose remuneret eos que felicissima valetudine Ecclesiae Suae
diu servet incolumes. Omnia demum prospera apprecati

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IX CLONMACNOISE. 121

Dominationi Yestrae Illmae ac Eevmae raanus reverenter-
deosculamur.

Dommationis Y. 111. et Revmae.
Devotissimi observantissimi et obligatissimi servi.

»^ Dominicus Archiep. Armacanus.

4^ Jacobus, Archiep. Tuamensis.

4« Dominicus, Episcopus Elfinen.

»^ Joannes, Lymericensis, Ep.

*^ Petrus, Ep. Corcagiensis et Cloynen.

4- Gregorius, Ep. Clunmacnusen.

Prom 1688 to 1725, this See was administered by the-
Bishops of Ardagh or its Yicars Apostolic. Their names have-
been already given in the Ardagh Succession.

John O'Daly was elected by the Chapter and Canons of
Clonmacnoise on the 28th of Sept., 1723, as Yicar General, in
succession to Thady Coghlan, deceased, according to Brady ^
But it will appear from the following document that the Yery
Eev. James Donnelly was his immediate predecessor. Probably
the order was —

Thadeus Coghlan, Yicarius Gen.
Jacobus Donnelly, Yicarius Gen.
Decanus Kenny, Yicarius Gen.
Joannes Daly, Yicarius Gen., &c.

Clonmacnoise was then said to have been without a Bishop
for over thirty years.

The following interesting document will clearly establish the
promulgation of the Council of Trent in Clonmacnoise, regarding
clandestinity, shortly after the Council itself was held, probably
in 1587. For about that year a Provincial Council was held in
the Diocese of Clogher at which Edmund, Bishop of Ardagh,
was present, and the promulgation of Trent was then unanimously
decided upon and ordered. The date is fixed between 1581 and
1589.

Consultatio Ecclesiastica Et Yeluti.

Quadeundem Ordinationum, Regularum, &c., Documentorum,

Deservientium Ecclesiae et Potissimum.

Provinciae Ardmachanae, Fact, &c. &c.
" I do certifi to have received these constitutions in the
yeare 1719, from the Yery Pev. Mr. James Donnelly, Yicar
General of Climmacnoiss, my predecessor, then about eighty-

122 DIOCESE or ARDAGH.

years of age, and a priest of tlie dioeess of Clunmacnoiss, about
thirty-six years. I also certifi that in the said yeare, 1719, on
a certain case of divorce on account of a clandestine marriage,
that all the clergy of the dioeess, and many of the old and
discreet lay inhabitants, and myself as assessor, were convened
at the house of one Dr. Hugh Shiel, in the parish of Gallen,* and
that all of those clergy and laity, and particularly a Eev. old
priest, Bryan Kinny, about eighty years of age, as well as
the said Rev. James Donnelly, declare that the Council of Trent
was received in said dioeess all along their lives, and that their
predecessors handed down and assured them it was received and
j)ractised as such in their times, &c.

Witness my hand this 10th of September, 1754.

JoHX Daly,
Dean and Yicar General of Clunmacnoiss,
Prothonotary Apostolic, 8fc.

STEPHEN MACEGAJS^

^as appointed Bishop of Clonmacnoise in 1725. His history-
is interesting. He was born in Dublin about 1679, and made
bis studies at Louvain with the Dominicans, whose order he
bad joined, and returned to Dublin about 1708. The penal
laws were then in full force. The Dominican Convents had
been demolished. He was appointed to a curacy in St. James'
Parish. Subsequently', baving procured a site for a church in
Bridge Street, he erected a commodious chapel thereon, and
the Dominicans, for many years afterwards, carried on their
apostolic labours with great success within its sacred walls.

About that time the Dominican Nuns were expelled from,
their loved cloisters in Galway to make place for lewd soldiers.
They had no place to fix their abode as a conmnmity, and offer
up their praj^ers of praise and reparation. They were obliged
each to seek a refuge in the homes of their youth with their
own families. This fact touched the heart of Eather Stephen,
and after conquering the main difficulties in the way of the
erection of his chapel at Bridge Street, he devoted himself
heart and soul to procure a conventual home for his outcast
sisters of Galway. It was not long xmtil he found for them,
notwithstanding the intolerance of the times, a resting-place
at Fisher's Lane. Afterwards he succeeded in procuring for
them a more desirable habitation in Channell-Row, Dublin.

* There is a to^ralancl iu the parish of Cloghau, or Gallen, called Ballysheil.

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACXOISE. 123

Having formed there a community of eight, in the year 1717,
he was appointed by his Provincial, the Yerj^ Eev. Hugh Calauun,
their confessor and general manager, an office which he held
for many years. On the 2-lth July, 1721, he was raised to tlie
dignity of Provincial of his own Order. The circumstances of
his elevation were notable. It was the first election in their
Order, made on Irit^h soil, since 1698, the year of their expulsion.
He was not long Provincial until he succeeded in getting Dr.
McMahon, Archbishop of Armagh, to establish the Sienna
Convent at Drogheda. The first Superioress of this venerable
Dominican Convent was Catherine Plunkett, niece to the
martyred Archbishop, Oliver Plunkett, whose head is preserved
there in a beautiful silver shrine. Having thus employed, for
some years, his great energy and influence in reviving the fallen
greatness of his Order, he set out for Rome in 1725. Whilst
there he was elected and nominated to the See of Clonmacnoise.
The Holy Father was much impressed by his worth, and, as a
mark of special respect, consecrated him with his own hands in
the Quirinal Palace, on the 29th Sept., 1725. The prelates
assisting Benedict the XIII. on that occasion were Archbishop
of Cozenza and the Bishop of Giovenazzo, both of the same
Order. In 1729 Dr. MacEgan was appointed to the Diocese of
Ferns, but it does not appear that he took possession of that
-See ; for in the same year he was translated to Meath, where he
lived during the remainder of his days. Together with his
appointment to Meath, the Holy Father gave him the Parish,
of Navan in Commendam, and the administration of the Diocese
of Clonmacnoise. The author of the " Hibernia Dominicana"
tells us, that he was, before his elevation to the episcopacy, a
Doctor of Sacred Theology, an eloquent and indefatigable
preacher of the Word of God, and second in this department
of the sacred ministry to no other in Ireland. He died in Dublin,
on the 30th May, 1756, and was buried by his brethren in St.
James' Cemetery. His grave cannot be identified now, although
the Very Rev. Dr. Russell, O.P., and others, have zealously
laboured to discover the tomb of the deceased prelate.

The following interesting letter was written to Dr. Mac-
Egan on the occasion of his election to Clonmacnoise by the
Very Rev. Thomas Rippoll, Superior of the Dominican Order
in Ireland at that time : —

*' Fr. Thomas Ripoll, Sacrae Theologiae Professor, ac
Totius Ordinis Praedictatorum humilis Magister Generalis, et
Servus." In Dei Filio sibi dilecto Admodum Reverendo Patri
JMagistro Provinciali Fr. Stephano Mac-Egan. Salutem, et

124 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Pastoralis Muneris Apostolicum Zelum. Ab extremis Terrge-
Pinibus ad audiendam Salomonis Sapientiam properans Regina.
Austri, visisque Ministrantium Ordinibus in Stuporem versa
Regij Famulatus Charactere distinctos, ac Assistricis Sapientise-
Solio Assistentes beatificavit. Celsiori Glorias Subsellio sub-
limare consuevit ad Fines usque Orbis Terrarum difusa Orbis
Christiani Regina, Ecclesia, Fideles Divini Salomonis Famulos,
gloriosis Meditorura suorum Obequiis sibi individue assistentes,
quos admirabili Providentia diversis distinctos Gradibns, multi-
plicibusque Gratiarum Divisionibus a Sponso suo dispositis,
in se hucusque perennare, laota miratur, dum alios quidem.
Apostolos, alios Propbetas, alios Fidelium Gregum Pastores,
uno eodemque Spiritu Sacto operante, fsBounda Meritis,
materno Gratiarum complectitur 8inu, qui velut Sal Terram
condiant, ut Mundi Lumina Doctrinis illustrent, ut Civitates.
in Monte positae Plebem sibi a Deo destinatam Yirtutibus,.
sanctseque Conversationis Exemplis circumvallent, ac tandem
aeterni Pastoris Gressibus insistentes, assidua SoUicitudine ad
salutaria dirigant Pascua Salutis, ad borum illustre Consor-
tium, cum te, perpensis prscclaris meritis tuis.

BENEDICTUS XIII. (quem suprema divinae Sapient ia>-
Providentia de Grege Dominicano ad summum Apostolatus
Apicem, Vicariamque sui in Terris Majestatem exaltare
dignata fuit) te assumere intendat, tuque pro Humilitatis tuse-
Parte, Onus, Angelicis etiam Humeris formidabile, ac reddendae
olim pro Grege commisso Pationi obnoxium, refugiens, ad
nostram, quam prof essus es, obedientiam recurras, vel hac saltern
ratione, ne communia ordinis nostri SufPragia amittas, quin
etiam (si Apostolicae Voluntati parendum) ad id sapienter,
fortiterque ferendum, per ilia adjuvis ; Nos igitur preeclaras
Animi tui Dotes, singularem Prudentiam, Doctrinae Excel-
lentiam, illibatimi Religiosae YitaB, Morumque Candorem, pro-
probatissimam regendi Dexteritatem, ardentem Domiis Dei ac
Auimarum Zeliim, casterasque Praesule, ac Ovium Cbristi
Pastore dignas Qualitates, tibi ab aoterno Pastore, ad hoc Munus
te eligente, collatas, considerantes, quam-quam renitentem
Animum tuum non nisi laudare debeamus tamen Dei, ej usque
Ticarij vocem, a te non modo audiendam verum et f requendam
esse ducimus. Ideoque tibi Licentiam, et Facultatem con-
cedimus (quantum in Nobis est). Episcopatum suscipiendi,
eamque Tenore praesentium bene tibi precantes impertimur,
de Suffragiorum, Meritorum, atque Beneficiorum Ordinis.
nostri non modo illaesa Fruitione, immo et ampliori eorunx
Cumulo (si prossibile est) tibi superaddendo, te pleno certifi-
camus, et assecuramus (D.).

EPISCOPAL SUCCESSION IN CLONMACNOISE. 125

In quorum Fidem his propria Manu subscriptis, Sigillum
Officij nostri apponi jussimus, RomoG in Conventu S. Mariee
^uper Miner vam, Die 22 Septembris Anno Jubilaei, 1725.

FE. THOMAS RIPOLL, "Registr. Lit. P. Pag. 129."
" MAGISTER ORDINIS," "Fr. Constantinus Lenunicben,
Magister, Et Socius."

It is stated tbat Dr. MacEgan held the administration of
Clonmacnoise after his promotion to Meath, and that, when old
age came upon him, he got Dr. Cheevers, the then Bishop of
Ardagh to hold the visitations, and perform his other episcox^al
functions in Clonmacnoise. The result was, that the Bishops
of Ardagh and Meath petitioned the Holy See to have Clonmac-
noise annexed to Ardagh, alleging its proximity on the one hand,
the poverty of Ardagh on the other, the vast extent of Meath ;
coupled with the fact, that he, Dr. Cheevers, was doing the duties
of Clonmacnoise. This application was successful, and Ardagh
and Clonmacnoise having been united by the authority of the
Holy See, uninterruptedly continued so to this day. It is,
however, stated by Father Cogan in his valuable work on the
Diocese of Meath, that when Dr. Cheevers was translated to
Meath, after the death of Dr. MacEgan, he applied for the
administration of Clonmacnoise, and received frf>m Rome, as a
reply, a copy of his former letter written from Ardagh, setting
forth the reasons why Clonmacnoise should be united to it.
This put an end to the matter, and Meath has never since
administered the See of Clonmacnoise. Once, and once only,
before Dr. MacEgan's tune, did Meath hold its administration,
namely : during the Episcopate of Dr. Thomas Dease. Clon-
macnoise was also united to the Diocese of Killaloe for a short
period, namely, during the Episcopate of Bishops Richard
Hogan and Florence Kirwan. These two Prelates mainly
resided at Clonmacnoise, and ruled Killaloe therefrom.

In 1568, however, it was united, according to the Protestant
divisions, to the Diocese of Meath, by Act of Parliament, and
that union continues to this day. The following notes from
the Petrie collections, regarding this so called union, may prove
interesting : —

"In 1568, sixteen years after its devastation, Cluain was
united to the See of Meath, by Act of Parliament, the Bishop
of which (Hugh Brady) enjoyed the revenues of both during
his life." ;

Respecting its state in the following century, we have the
following interesting particulars, not hitherto published, in

126 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

Archbishop Usher's Eeport, in 1622, to the King James' Com-
missioners, of the State of the Diocese of Meath : —

1622. — "All the lands in Westmeath belonging to this
Bisp''^ were demised by Bishop Jones, 9^'='' 1512 to Ed<i- Malone,.
for 71 years, paying thereout 10 Beeves yearly, and preserving
the young Hawks of Gos. Hawks, Falcons, and Farsals breed-
ing in the woods of Clonmacnoise, half of which he is bound
to deliver to the Bishop of Meath, at his house in Ardbracon,.
or pay three pounds sterling for every Hawk that shall be
stollen or otherwise negligently lost ; but by reason of the con-
tinued felling of great timber in the woods, for which the-
Lessee hath the license granted, the Hawks within this year or
two have forsaken the place, and so ye Bishop hath lost ye
benefit of ye reservation."

" All ye lands of the County Roscommon, belonging to the
said Bisp^'^ were passed in fee farm, by Bishop Jones, 9' 20
Nov., 1586, to Anthony Brabason, at ye yearly rent of ten
marks Irish, or 5 pounds sterling. There are 4 quarters of
land enjoyed by this grant, much of which was not in the-
Bishop's possession at the time wherein the estate was passed.
There is none of the clergy's hands to ye conveyance, neither
doth it appear by any witnesses that by their consent their
Seal was affixed thereto. The 4 quarter of land, lying near
Galway, passed as it is said in fee farm, at the annual rent of
1 pound Irish, or 15s. sterling. The conveyance I have not seen."

" Four quar " in the County of Galway, called Killshanny,
leased by Bishop Brady, July 26, 1578 to Joseph Garvy, for
61 years, at the yearly rent of 4 nobles Irish, or 1 pound ster.""

" The villages of Bally I'oughloe, Tissaran, andLemanaghan,,
set for ye yearly rent of 29 pounds sterling."

*' Certain prebends annexed to ye Bishop^^ set for the yearly
rent of 29 pounds sterling."

" Certain prebends annexed to ye Bishp'^'^ set for the yearly
rent of 7 pounds, or thereabouts. ' See Bp. Montgomery's
paper 10.

"An eel wire upon the river of the Shannon worth.
£3 6s. 7d."

" Summa totalis, each Beeve being valued at 7 pounds
sterling, amounteth to £66 Is. 8d. sterling."

" There is a great proportion of land in the Province of
Connaught, which anciently belonged to the Bishop'''' of Clon-
macnoise, ye particulars of which are to be seen extracted of
the Registry of that Church, but the original Book hath lately-

CLONMACNOISE AS A SUFFRAGAN DIOCESE. 127'

been conveyed away by the practise of a lewd fellow, who batb,
thereupon fled the country."

" Deanery of Clonmacnoise, alias Ballylomjhloe.

" The Deanery was in time past a Bishp^^ but now united
to the Bishp'"'' of Meath, by Act of Parliament, 20th Elizabeth.

"There hath been in time past belonging to the Bishp* a
Deanery yet continuing ; an Archdeaconry and twelve
Prebendaries, all long since wasted and extinct, all which
were maintained by the offerings at funerals, the churches of
Clonmacnoise being the ancient burial place of the Kings of
Ireland and of the nobility of the same.

There are in one churchyard ten churches whereof two are in
reasonable repair T

" Deanery of Clonmacnoise, Collative.
" The Lord Bishop of Meath, Patron.

" There belong to ye Dean or Deaner}^ of Clonmacnoise much-
lands in the County of Westmeath and Connaught, and the}^,
and all the other profits of the dignity, are leased by the present
incumbent, at 6 pounds sterling per annum. — Mr. William
Lester, Dean.

" The first fruits, or 20th pts.

"Archdeaconry of Clonmacnoise extinct and wasted, nothin»
worth.

At all events it seems certain that since Dr. MacEgan's
translation to Meath, Clonmacnoise never was an Independent
See. Here it seems fitting to investigate the question as to
what ecclesiastical Province Clonmacnoise formerly belono-ed;
for just as Meath and Ardagh administered her at different
times, so Tuam and Armagh held her alternately in subjection
as a Suffragan Diocese.

CLONMACNOISE AS A SIIFFEAGAN DIOCESE.

In the beginning of the sixteenth century, it was reckoned
amongst the Sees subject to the Metropolitan of Tuam. The
proof of this statement is to be found in Theiner's "Vetera
Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum," page 519, where the
Pev. Nicholas Koran's report of the fitness of Frater Quintinus
O'Hygim (O'Higgins) to be appointed to the vacant See of
Clonmacnoise, made through the cardinal who had charge of
the Consistorial process, is registered in the following words : —

128 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

" Igitur pro vera causae instructione die 9 Novembris anno
praedicto Nicholaus Hoaran clerieus Hybernicus Hertf ertensis
Diaecesis, testis ad hoc productus, interrogatus a me super
qualitatibus D. fratris Quintini — medio juramento dixit, se
eum nosse in Ilibernia in Provincia Tuamensi, et esse litteris
eruditum, praedicatorem, bonis moribus et fama aliisque multis
virtutibus praeditum. De existentia vero ecclesiae interrogatus
respondit ; in Ilibernia Insula orientem versus, in Provincia
Tuamensi esse Cluanensem civitatem, sitam inter sylvas, casarum
ex palea et viminibus feri duodecem, a cujus parte leva labitur
fluvius qui eorum lingua dicitur Tinnin appellatur et distat a
mari per iter unius diei."

Dr. O'Higginswas appointed Bisbop of Clonmacnoise before
the close of that year, which was 1516. Clonmacnoise was then
clearly "in the ecclesiastical province of Tuam — was small, con-
sisting of only twelve houses, built of rushes and mud, and
thatched with straw." According to the report, " the cathedral
was then in ruins — ecclesiam cathedralem esse dirutam. Its
roof had fallen in, and there was but one altar, which was shel-
tered with a straw roof. It had a crucifix of bronze, and only
one poor vestment. Its sacristy, too, was small ; but its belfry
had two bells. The Holy Sacrifice was seldom offered up, and
the whole revenue of the See amounted to only thirty- three
crowns."

The report added that, as to Father Quintin himself, " the
members of the Sacred Congregation should know him well, as
he had been a considerable time in Pome."

When there were only two A.rchiepiscopal Sees in Ireland,
extending to Leath Cuinn and Leath Mogha, all Connaught,
and with it Clonmacnoise, was subject to the Metropolitan of
the Northern District. Tuam, however, in the course of years,
gradually grew into a distinct province. But its independence
was not fully signed, sealed, and delivered until after the Synod
of Kells, A.D. 1152 ; for it is on record that, in the Synod of
Path-breasal, over which Celsus, Archbishop of Armagh, pre
sided, in 1110, the five sees of Tuam, Clonfert, Cong, Killala,
and Ardagh were clustered together, and still subject to the
Metropolitan of the North. At the Synod of Kells, the pro-
vince of Connaught obtained its full and entire independence,
and the Archbishop of Tuam received the Pallium from the
hands of Cardinal Paparo. After that event, Ardagh was made
suffragan to Armagh, and Clonmacnoise was assigned to the
new province of Tuam. The archbishops of both provinces
were dissatisfied with this arrangement. Tuam, on the one
hand, claimed Ardagh for the western province ; whilst Armagh,
•on the other hand, asserted that the Shannon was the boundary.

CLONMACNOISE AS A SUFFRAGAN DIOCESE. 129

on the Leinster side, of the province of Tuam, and that Clon-
macnoise, therefore, belonged to the province of the IN'orth.
This controversy was carried to Rome. At the Lateran Council,
held in Rome, 1215, Felix O'Ruadhan, Archbishop of Tuam,
and Eugene MacGillividen, Archbishop of Armagh, were pre-
sent in person, and formulated their respective claims before
the great Pontiff, Innocent the Third. Sometime afterwards,
a Decree was issued, assigning not only Clonmacnoise, but also
Ardagh, to the ecclesiastical province of the "West, to be subject
henceforth to the Metropolitan of Tuam, but, at the same time,
postponing to a future day the decision of the several other
points of controversy.

In the meantime, Armagh was in possession of Ardagh and
Clonmacnoise, and for fully a hundred years they continued
thus subject to its metropolitical jurisdiction.

It appears Ardagh remained afterwards continuously and
undisturbedly subject to the archdiocese of Armagh, for the
claim of Tuam was not renewed. But Clonmacnoise, about the
middle of the fourteenth century, was again reckoned amongst
the dioceses of the western province.

His Eminence Cardinal Moran states " that, soon after this
period, we find a list of Irish bishops, preserved in the Barberini
Archives, at Rome ; and in it the See of Clonmacnoise is referred
to the province of Tuam." We have already seen that, in the
record of the Consistorial process, in the appointment of Dr.
O'Higgins, it was described as suffragan to the metropolitical
jurisdiction of Tuam. But, during his prelacy, it appears the
controversy was finally closed, and Clonmacnoise was assigned
to the ecclesiastical province of the North. Thus, we find that,
at the Provincial Synod held in Tuam in 1523, it is stated, in
the preamble to the Synod, that Dr. O'Higgins, of Clonmac-
noise, was suffragan to the Archbishop of Armagh. The
bishop is thus described : — " Dominus Kyntius \_i.e. Quintinus]
O'Higgins Dei gratia episcopus Cluanensis Provinciae Arma-
chanae." — " Irish Arch. Soc. Miscellany," Yol. I., page 77.
From that day to the present, Clonmacnoise has been con-
tinuously subject to the jurisdiction of the Primatial See.

I shall now set down some of the letters reprinted by Theiner
regarding this matter. They are very interesting docimients, in
that they show the extent of the king's influence in the appoint-
ment of Irish bishops. The English monarch, Henry the Eighth,
wrote, on the 18th June, 1515, begging the appointment of
Father Quintinus O'Higgins to the see of Clonmacnoise, the
following letter, which was addressed to His Holiness Leo the
Tenth. The second letter was addressed by the same royal
personage, and on the same day, to his Eminence Cardinal

10

130 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

Julius de Medicis, praying the exercise of Ms well-known
influence witli the Pope to have the king's protege appointed.
Notwithstanding the eagerness of the king for a speedy appoint-
ment to this vacant diocese, the Consistorial inquiry into the
fitness of Father O'Higgins was not commenced until November
in the following year. The correspondence in this case is inte-
resting, and clearly proves that the king knew of no right on
his part to appoint bishops (although some writers have asserted
the existence of a traditional right on the part of the Crown
previously, during, and after his reign) ; to appoint to Irish
Catholic Sees independently of the Pope. The following are
the letters : —

DCCCCIY.

Angliae rex petit a cardinali Julio de Medicis, ut confirma-
tionem electorum Cluanensis et Herfortensis apud pontificem
urgere velit adiecto processu consistoriali de ecclesiae Her-
fordensi Ex originali.

Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae et Franciae ac Dominus
Hiberniae, Rmo in Christo patri D. Julio tit. S. Mariae in
Dominica S. R. E. Diacono Cardinali, nostroque ac Regni nostri
in Pomana Curia Protectori et Amico nostro Carissimo, salutem.
Commendamus in praesentia Smo D. N, Yenerabilem ac reli-
giosum virum fratrem Quintinum Ohnyggyn, virum doctum
prudentem et vitae intergritae probatum. Suamque Sanctitatem
rogamus, ut eundem fratrem Quintinum Ecclesiae Cluacensi
(sic) per Peverendi patris D. Thome eius postremi Episcopi ad
Archiepiscopatum Tuamensem translationem vacanti, preficere
et presulem constituere di'gnetur, Quare pergratum nobis erit,
ut Vestra Pma Dominatio relationem de dicta Ecclesia, ut moris
est, facere et eiusdem fratris Quintini procuratoribus in bul-
larum expeditione favorem suum prestare non gravetus. Quae
f eliciter valeat.

Ex Palatio nostro Grenwici die xviii Juini, M. D. XY.

Henricus,

And Ammonius.

DCCCCY.

Pox Angliae pontifici, ut designatum Cluanensem confirmare
velit. Ex orig. Instrum. Miscel.

Sanctissimo Clementmoque Dno nostro Papae.

Beatissime pater.

Post humillimam Commendationem, et devotissima pedum
oscida beatorum. Certiores facti, Cluacensem ecclesia in Domino

CLONMACNOISE AS A SUFFKAGAN DIOCESE. 131

nostro Hiberniae per translatlonem Rev. Patrls Dni Thomae eius
novissimi Episcopi ad Archiepiscopatum Tuamensem vacare,
Yenerabilem ac religiosum virum fratrem Quintinum Ohnygyn
ordinis Minorum, virum doctum, gravem, circumspectum et
probura multorum testimonio maxime idoneum esse cognovimus,
qui dictae ecclesiae preficiatur. Quapropter Vestre Sanctitate
ipsuiii commendamus, earn que rogamus, ut eudem fratrem Quin-
tinum praedictae Catbedrali Ecclesiae Cluacensi per dictam
translationem vacanti praeficere et Episcopum constituere dig-
netur, quern ut Deo acceptum, sic perutilem eidem ecclesiae
pastorem futurem arbitramur. Et felicissime yaleat eadem
Vestra Sanctitas. Quam Deus Altissimus longaevam conservet,
Ex Palatio nostro Grenwici die xviii. Juini, M. D. XV.
E(iusdem) y(estrae) S(anctita)ti8

Devotissimus atque obsequentissimus filius Dei gratia
Eex Angeliae et Franciae as Dominus Hiberniae
Henricus,

And Ammonius.

Beatissime pater,

Cum per translationem Endi P. D. Thomae Episcopi Clua-
nensis ad metropolitanam ecclesiam Tuamensem, ipsa Cluanensis
ecclesiae vacet, supplicaritque bumiliter Sanctitati Vestrae devo-
tissimus eius filius Ser™^^^ Henricus Angliae etc. Pex, ut eidem
ecclesiae de persona religiosi viri Quintini Ohnygim provide-
retur : Sanctitas Vestra die . . . mihi commisit, ut de existentia
ecclesiae, necnon de qualitatibus et meritis promovendi diligenter
inquirerem et deinde de omnibus bene informatus in hoc sacro
loco referrem. Super quibus ex depositione unius testis medio
inuramento examinati, invenio, quod.

In Hybernia Insula in provincia Tuamensi est Cluanensis
ci vitas, posita inter sylvas orientam versus, casarum fere duo-
decim ex viminibus et palea, propter quam a leva labitur quidam
fluvius, qui eorum lingua Sinin dicitur, et distat a mari per iter
uuius diei. A dextero latere ad occidentem est ecclesiae Cathe-
dralis semidiruta, sine tecto, cum uno tantum altari cooperto
stramine, babens parvulam sacristiam cum uno tantum para-
mento et cruce ex aere. Habet campanile cum duabis cami^anis.
Paro celeb ratur missa. In ea est corpus unius Beati Hybernici
cuius nomen testis ignorat, et sub eius invocatione est ecclesia,
quae est valoris trigintatrium ducatorura, ad quam summam est
taxata in libris Camerae fructus constant ex frumento et ordeo.

Ad eam petitur promoveri Venerabilis frater Quintinus, in
presbiteratus ordine constitutus ordinis Minorum, vir doctus,
praedicator, bonis moribus et fama aliisque virtutibus praeditus.

132 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

quem multi ex Dnis meis Emis viderunt : petit dispensari super
defactu natalium, et derogari privilegiis ordinis etc.
Scribit Rex et eum commendat.

DE. PETEE MULLIGAN

succeeded. He had been an Augustinian Friar before bis eleva-
tion to tbese Sees. He was appointed Bisbop of Ardagb and
Clonmacnoise by Brief, dated May tbe 9tb, 1732. He bad
a previous Brief, dated September, 1730. He received tbe
usual faculties as Bisbop of Ardagb in 1732.'j On tbe 6tb of
June, 1739, an application from Dr. Mulligan for a coadjutor
was received by the Propaganda.

DE. THOMAS O'BEIENE

succeeded in 1739. He was appointed on tbe 19tb of Septem-
ber 1739. Dr. O'Beirne died about tbe end of January, 1747.

DE. THOMAS MacDERMOTT ROE

succeeded in 1747. He was Parisb Priest of tbe Parisb of
Kilronan, County Eoscommon, before bis elevation to Ardagb.
and Clonmacnoise. Tbe Brief of bis appointment is dated May
tbe 8tb, 1747, and be is called in it Tbomas Macdermottroe
Nobilis Ardacaden.

He was one of tbe old cbieftains of tbat name wbo resided
at Alderford, near to tbe Town nf Ballyfarnon, County Eoscom-
mon, on tbe borders of SKgo. Tbe estates of tbis ancient sept
are situate in tbe Parisb of Kilronan, and tbe family resided on
tbem, in a splended mansion, for many centuries. It was tbis
same family took up Carolan tbe blind, tbe last of tbe Irisb
Bards. They were bis best patrons, protectors, and friends.
Their house was bis home, and in it he died, and they gave to
him a grave in their own family vault at Kilronan.

Tbe Eight Eev. Dr. MacDermott Eoe was not a member of
the Moylurgh family, although a branch of that old stock.
The bishop resided on the picturesque shores of Lough Melagb,
close to the present castle of Kilronan. The site of bis palace
may still be seen on the southern banks of that charming lake.
He died three years after his consecration, and was buried in
a splended mausoleum in tbe old church of Kilronan, which
overlooks Lough Meelagh.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 133

DR. AUGUSTINE CHEEVERS
succeeded in 1751. He was born about the year 1686 at Killyan,
in the County Galway. His ancestors came from Normandy
witb William the Conqueror into England, and some of them
afterwards accompanied Strongbow when he invaded Ireland.
The Norman name of the family was Chevre. After some years
this family became settled in various parts of the country. Sir
Christopher Chevers, the principal amongst them, resided at
Ballyhaly, County Wexford. He married Anne Plunket, of
Mace-town, and through her became the owner of the Mace-
town property. During the Cromwellian and Puritan confisca-
tions, he was robbed of his property and banished to Connaught.
There the future Bishop of Ardagh was born. Of his early life
little is recorded. It is, however, stated, that he was taken to
France when a mere boy, by his uncle, Lord Mount-Leinster.
He afterwards became a distinguished member of the Augus-
tinian Order, and continued so until he was called upon to govern
the Sees of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. He was consecrated
Bishop of Ardagh after the death of Dr. MacDermot Roe, and
continued to rule that See until he was promoted to Meath in 1756.
Some years after his translation from Ardagh, Dr. Chevers fell into
a delicate state of health ; whilst in that condition, he resided at
the house of John O'Reilly, his nephew-in-law, of Ann-Ville,
Ballikilchriest, near Granuard, County Longford. In 1798,
after the battle of Grannard, the Orange Yeomanry invaded
Ballikilchriest, and forcibly entered the house in which the
bishop had resided, and trampled on the vestments found there,
which had belonged to him. This they did in hatred of the
Catholic religion.

1756. Anthony Blake, Warden of Galway, succeeded, by

Brief, dated August 11, 1756. He was the son of Blake,

Esq., of Dunmacreene, in the County of Mayo, a gentleman of
an ancient and respectable English family, who inherited a
handsome remnant of their former possessions, which its seclu-
sion amid loughs and mountains, and its remote situation at the
extremities of the Counties of Galway and Mayo, had luckily
saved from spoliation. After receiving his education, probably
first at St. Omers, and afterwards at Louvain, he returned to
the mission of his native diocese, Tuam, and received an appoint-
ment in the neighbourhood of Galway. The tribes, or lay
patrons, of Galway were, at this time, dissatisfied with their
Warden, the Rev. Mark Kirwan, of Dalgan, elected in 1749 ;
and in consequence, when the triennial term arrived, they
elected the Rev. Anthony Blake in his place, which is said
to be the only instance in which a person once appointed

134 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

Catholic AVarden was not afterwards triennially re-elected for
life. Warden Blake's administration was short, but not inactive.
It is to liis care and zealous exertions that Galway owes the
erection of the parish chapel in Middle-street, which he com-
menced about the year 1752, the first year of his incumbency^
and which continued the only parochial chapel in the town till
it was taken down in 1833, and another built on the same site
by Dr. Browne, the first Bishop of Galway. In the year 1755,
Warden Blake was promoted to the bishopric of Ardagh, being-
succeeded in Galway by the Eev. Francis Kirwan ; and in the
end of 1758, he was translated to the Primatial See of All Ire-
land. On the 19th of May, 1761, he held a Diocesan Chapter
at Dundalk, in which some important laws were enacted for the
reform of abuses, especially the repression of intemperance and
of irregularity in the hours and places of public worship, and
against the unjustifiable interference of the laity with the rights
of the bishop in collating parishes and in other acts of episcopal
jurisdiction. In June, 1764, another Diocesan Chapter, or
Synod, sanctioned a new mode of supplying a competent sup-
port for the bishop, and urged, under heavy penalties, the erec-
tion of suitable chapels, or, as they styled them, "Mass-houses,"
in every parish by the parish priest. These meetings prove
that, at least during the first six years of his government. Dr.
Blake was regarded as favourably by his clergy as any prelate
could well be who introduced reforms, many of which, besides
being departures from old custom, were in themselves onerous.
The acts of these Synods are published here as a partial evidence
of the state of the Catholic Church in Ireland immediately
before the turning part in her modern history.

Statuta Facta Ab lllmo Et Eevmo Domino.

D. Antonio Blake.

Archiepiscopo Amacano et totius Hibernise Primati in
capitulo Disecesano habito Dundalkiee Die 19 Maii, Anno 1761.

To the Most Eev. Father in God, His Grace Dr. Anthony Blake,
Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Primate and Metropolitan of
all Ireland.

My Lord,

We, the Canons of your Cathedral Church of St. Patrick,
in Armagh, in Chapter assembled, do take this opportunity of
returning our most sincere and hearty thanks to your grace", for
your great care and vigilance over us, and the rest of the clergy

AND CLONMACNOISE. 135

and laity of this diocese since your accession to it, and also for
the pains you have taken to establish peace among all ranks of
people in which your grace has, thank Grod, most happily suc-
ceeded, for the long continuance of which we promise every
assistance we can, as well as for your undertaking that the fol-
lowing particular rules be strictly observed for the future in this
diocese : —

1. That none is to begin Mass on any occasion after one
o'clock, p.m.

2. That the parochial Mass be not removed, especially on
Sundays, from the usual station,* upon any pretence or pretext
whatsoever,

3. That no collections be made at funerals in any street, or
any road ; or Mass there said for any such meetings, except such,
places be the usual stations for having prayers.

4. That no one wearing any altar ornaments is to go in that
dress among the congregation, to beg either for himself or any
other person or community.

5. That none requiring alms at any chapel or other station
shall call to any person for any certain sum.

6. Never to give a contested benefice (or any other by way
of punishment for three years afterwards) to any priest, on
whose seeking, or in whose favour, any opposition (but for
canonical exceptions) is given to any clergyman you did or would
collate to said parish, or named to take care of it in commendam,
if such priest will not openly declare to the congregation that
he will not serve, unless commanded by his superior, in that, or
any other parish where such disturbance is caused.

7. To dispossess any priest of his parish, and of any other
charge (after canonical admonition), who is a drunkard, or who
will stay to drink whiskey, or any other spirituous, distilled,
strong liquors, at any one place, time, or meeting, exceeding the
measure of what is commonly called a naggin, or double that
quantity in punch.

8. That no whiskey or any such strong liquors be given to
the commonalty at wakes or funerals, or carried for that intent
or purport, to the place of interment.

As these eight rules of regulations are, we think, my Lord,
both salutary and requisite for this country, we request your
Grrace's approbation and sanction of them. In addition, we pray
you will please to order all your parish priests to take a copy of
the statutes of the province which your Grace has shown us,

* The word still used for the houses in which Confessions are heard, and
Holy Communion administered at Christmas and Easter, in most of the Irish
Dioceses, beyond a certain distance from the Chapel.

136 ' DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

and we will pray for your Grace's long life and health, to rule
and govern us, who are most sincerely your Grace's most
humble, most obedient servants,

Nicholas Devine, Archdeacon.
James Madden, Cancellarius.
Lawrence Taffe, Chanter.
Philip Levin, Treasurer.
Nicholas Markey, Canon.
Thomas Carroll, Canon.
Terence Ignatius Quin, Canon.

We approve of, and establish for the diocese, the above-
mentioned rules or regulations, proposed to us by our Chapter.

Dundalk, 19th May, 1761.

Anthony Armagh.

Acta coventa et ordinata in synoda dioecesana Amacana sub
Illmo, et Rmo Domino, D. Antonio Blake, Archiepiscopo Ar-
macano et totius Hiberniae primate.

Anno 1764.

To the Rev. Canons and Pastors of the diocese of Armagh, at
their respective meetings in the year of our Lord, 1764.

Very Rev. Sirs,

The underneath case of conscience and query, is most
respectfully proposed to your opinion and decision thereon. The
Catholics and Clergy of Ireland, had, without doubt, formerly
enacted, or ordered, a decent livelihood for their prelates and
parish priests, in lieu of their lost benefices ; in consequence of
which, the ordinary received, inter alia, the horse, bridle, and
saddle of any deceased parish priest, as appears by the continued
practice of this day, of other bishoprics in this kingdom ; nay,
in some of this province of Ulster. Which custom and rule, it
is to be presumed, was the same in this diocese of Armagh, as
the said dues had been some time paid to the ordinaries, and
when not, they are, and were always called for, to the heirs.

Query : Should not the ordinary and his clergy now change
the above manner and time of receiving his said dues, viz. : —
the horse, bridle, and saddle, &c., by ordering every priest, when
first collated to a parish, to pay, or secure the value of said dues,
to his bishop (as it is done lately in other dioceses), grounding
this new proposed regulation on the known fact, that the parish

AND CI,ONMACNOISE. 137

priests, now-a-days, do for tlie most part, neglect making,
mortis sues tempore, the said provision for the indigent superior,
and to hinder also the priest's heirs from sinning, by unjustly
detaining the said dues : —

We, the subscribing pastors of the diocese of Armagh, are
of opinion, that the purport and meaning of the above case of
conscience, is both convenient and just. Wherefore, we do by
these presents enact, that the change proposed in the query be
made and followed for the future, as an established rule in this
diocese, and we humbly pray our present most illustrious prelate
to order it so.

Given at our meeting at Dundalk, this second day of May,
1764.

Philip Levins, Treasurer of the Chapter of Armagh, P.P. of

Ardee.
Lawrence Taffe, Chanter, &c., &c., P.P., Hagerstown.
Terence Quin, Canon, &c., P.P. Creggan.
John Colman, Pastor of Louth.
Edward Boyle, Pastor, Drominskin.
Francis M'Ardell, Pastor in Killenins.
Hugh Mooney, Pastor of Upper Faughard.
Michael Healy, P.P. of Killewins.
Peter Carroll, Deservitor of Dundalk.
Patrick M'Kenna, Pastor of Carlingford.

For some years after Dr. Blake's removal from Ardagh, and
promotion to the Primacy, his administration seems to have
been peaceful and fruitful. But, unhappily, dissensions arose
between his grace and the Chapter. The result was, a report
was forwarded to Pome charging him with non-residence. On
the authority of Dr. Derrj^ Bishop of Dromore, it was said that
" Dr. Blake never could be prevailed upon to reside permanently
in his diocese." After his visitations he returned to Gal way,
where he lived with some of his relations. The bishop was of
handsome appearance, striking and episcopal demeanour, and
when on his visitations, and during his sojourns in Armagh,
always used an elegant carriage. To the charge of non-residence,
was added that of too great severity in his exactions.

The Rev. Phillip Levins, P.P., Ardee, and the Rev. Peter
Markey, P.P., of Louth — as representatives especially of the
Louth clergy — carried on a prosecution against the Primate,
with great ability, at Rome. This unhappy dispute lasted for a
considerable time, and wa« the occasion of much evil. At one

lOS DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

time it was on the point of being amicably settled, tbrougb tbe
interference of His Grace, Dr. Troy ; but unhappily the Primate
got into fresh troubles through the suspension of the Rev. George
Dowd, of St. Peter's, Drogheda. The result was, that not only
Dr. Troy, of Dublin, but also the southern bishops were drawn
into this unfortunate and imprudent quarrel, on both sides, which
ended in the absolute resignation of Dr. Blake.

Dr. James Brady succeeded, in 1758. He was one of the
Superiors at the Irish College in Paris. His Brief was dated
August 21, 17-58. He resided in his jMensal Parish, St. Mary's,
Athlone. Dr. Brady died 18th January, 1788.

Dr. John Cruise succeeded in that same year. He was
elected at Propaganda, April 21, and confirmed by the Pope,
May 18, 1788, through the death of Dr. Brady. His Brief was
dated 10th June, 1788. He was born in 1750, and died in
June, 1812, and was buried in Abbey Shrule.

When Dr. Cruise went on his visitations to administer the
Sacrament of Confirmation, he brought with him a quantity of
religious books, which he used to distribute to the persons
confirmed. His character was that of a very holy man.

The Right Rev. Dr. Magauran succeeded. He was elected
by Propaganda on the 6th March, and confirmed by the Pope
on the 12th of same month, 1815. He had been P.P. of Bal-
linamore. County Leitrim, on the borders of Ardagh, at its
north-western Limits. Kindly and cordial relations have at all
times existed between the Dioceses of Kilmore and Ardagh, in
College, and on the mission afterwards, and justly so, for the
Kilmore clergy are a highly respectable, and honest body of
ecclesiastics. Thus it came about, that on the death of Dr.
Cruise, the Ardagh parish priests, not having a suitable member
of their own body, cast their eyes on the most eligible of the
Kilmore clergy, and voted for Dr. Magauran, whom they had
loiown to be in every way suited for the high and responsible
office. It is to be regretted there is no written record of this
prelate's life and good works. The writer has taken a good deal
of pains and trouble to find something worthy of publication
regarding him, but in vain. He wrote to some four or five
ecclesiastics who were supposed to be in possession of some facts
or information regarding Bishop Magauran, which might be
fittingly printed in these collections ; but unsuccessfully. Dr.
Magauran, some of the old priests used to say, was a man re-

AND CLONMACNOISE. l''^9'

markable for common sense, and the practical and satisfactory
administration of his diocese. He was a great patron of talented
young priests, and thus compelled Dr. O'Higgins to stand the
Concursus at Maynooth against Dr. Renehan, who was after-
wards president of that college. Some few days after the
examination at Maynooth, Dr. Magauran held a conference
of his clergy in the different deaneries, and the compiler heard,
some twenty-three years ago — from the late Very E-ev. K.
Kilroe, P.P., St. Mary's, Athlone, who, at that time, was a young
priest just home from college, and without a mission, and on
that account was taken around by the bishop to the different
places where the clergy assembled — that there was no business at
any of the conferences. It was kept as a holiday, the bishop
was so pleased at the brilliant examination of Dr. O'Higgins,
he entertained them with a most interesting and pleasing
account of the triumphant and crushing defeat dealt out by the
ex-professor from Paris to Dr. Eenehan. "I have never wit-
nessed," said the bishop, "such a display of theological learDing."
Even the students of Maynooth, although naturally on the
side of the candidate of their own college, after the first day
took to cheering and clapping O'Higgins.

Dr. Magauran had a noble and commanding presence, and
was very affable and simple in his manners, a great favourite
with his clergy and people.

It is said that he and the late Yery Eev. Dean Farrelly, P.P.,.
of Ardagh, went to Dublin, on the occasion of the visit of George
the IV. to that city, and were presented to his majesty, who
afterwards observed, " they were the two finest-looking eccle-
siastics in Great Britain."

Dr. Magauran died in 1829, at Ballymahon, where he re-
sided, and was interred in the little church there, at that time
the pro-cathedral. His remains still repose within its renovated
walls. I am sorry, through respect for his memory, and the
natural wishes of the several priests of his family (for his was,
and is, a Levitical family), that I have not been fortunate enough
to obtain more details regarding this good bishop. I can,
however, assure them, that I exhausted all the means at my
disposal, in the endeavour.

140 UIOCESE or ARDAGH

Ardagli may be justly proud of tlie following noble
Declaration of the Archbishops and Bishops and other
Clergy, assembled at Jamestown, near Carrick-on-
Shannon, Co. Leitrim, on the i2TH of August, 1650.
(From the Rinuccini MSS.)

Declaratio Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum et aliorum Prae-
latorum et dignitarium saecularis et regularis Cleri Regni
Hiberniae, contra continuationem regiae authoritatis in persona
Marchionis Ormoniae, Proregis regni Hiberniae, ob malum
subditorum gubernium infortunatum regii exercitus due turn, et
violationem articulorum paeis, facta in oppido Jacobopolitano
in Conventu Fratrum Minorum, 12° Augusti, 1650.

Oatholicus Hiberniae populus anno salutis 1641 omnino ad-
ductus est ad arma suscipienda pro Catbolicae Peligionis, vitas
et justae libertatis suae defensione ; Parliaraentum enim Angliae
statuerat et decreverat Catbolicam tunc in Hibernia religionem
extinguere et gentem ipsam funditus evertere, conscripto ad
crudelis sui illius decreti et intentionis executionem potenti
et numeroso exercitu : postea idem Catbolicus Hiberniae
popuhis die 17° Januarii anno 1649 inivit et sancivit pacem
cum Excellentissimo D. Jacobo Marchione Ormoniae, Sere-
nissimi Regis, vel certe Reginae et Serenissimi Principis
Walliae, qui nunc est Carolus Secundus Rex, commissario ; quo
facto Catholici Hiberniae universe orbi notam et abunde mani-
f estam fecerunt sinceram suam erga regiam autboritatem fideli-
tatem.

Hanc porro pacem sen pacificationem tunc temporis inierunt
€t amplexi sunt Confoederati Catbolici cum Serenissimus Rex
ab Angliae Parliamentariis carcere clausus teneretur ; cum
nee ille, nee Regina nee Serenissimus "Walliae Princeps
illius esset conditionis aut potestatis ut in Confoederatos
quidquam subsidii aut auxillii conferre aut suppeditare
possent ; cumque praeterea iidem Catbolici facile convenire
et transigere possent cum Parlamento Angliae, aequo bonis vel
melioribus ac pinguioribus conventionibus pro religione, vita,
libertate, bonis ac terris suis quam per dictam pacem fuerint
obtentae vel concessae, et ita se ab omni periculo belli et poten-
tiae Anglicanae invasione facile liberare, cimi adhuc tamen,
non obstante sua ilia cum Serenissimo Rege pace facta, pug-
nandum illis esset contra sues et Regis in tribus regnis hostes,
quod utrum non sit evidens et clarum illorum in Regem fideli-
tatis argumentum judicet orbis universus.

Pace hunc in modum contra Confoederati Catbolici sincere
et alacriter submiserunt se regiae autboritati in persona dicti
Marchionis Ormoniae, Hiberniae Proregis, et subministrarunt
illi summam pecuniae vim (nimirum pene medium millioncm

AND CLONMACNOISE. 141

librarum Anglicarum) et variam atque amplam fruraenti,
tormentorum bellicorum, pulveris nitrati, formitis, reliquique
commeatus bellici et rerum omnium ad bellum spectantiuiii,
pluralibus in locis ac praesidiis copiam et numerum. Postea
tamen idem Prorex spe et expectatione, quam de illius fidelitate,
generositate et egregiis ad regendum dotibus regnum con-
ceperat omnes fefellit, et author factus est perdendi pene totius
regni Deo, Regi, et incolis: cui rei initium dedit pacem in
multis partibus violando, uti clare demonstrari et toti orbi
probari potest.

Imprimis postquam Catbolici subministrassent suae Ex-
cellentiae praedictam pecuniae vim quae sufl&ceret ad cogendum
et sustentandum Catholicum exercitum (qui ex articulis pacis
constare debuit quindecim millibus peditum et bis mille
quingentisque equitibus, et institutus fuit pro Catholicae
Religionis, Pegiorumque jurium et incolarum conservatione).
Sua Excellentia ultra et praeter illam exercitus partem quae
sub erat imperio Baronis Insequinii, contulit in Protestantes^
CoUonellorum et aliorum in exercitu imperiorum, patentes
litteras, et regni substantiam ac opes effudit in ilios qui
plerique postea vel nos perdiderunt vel prodiderunt, vel certe
turpiter a nobis defecerunt.

2"^ Praesidia, arces et civitates et Momoniae maritimi portus,.
nimirum Corcagia Yeoghellia, Kinsalia, &c., fuerunt commissa,
et tradita viris perfidis et illis de exercitu Insequinii quibus
minime fidendum esset, utpote qui ilia loca bosti prodiderunt :
unde Pegia potestas et jus toto regno in summum discrimen
adductum est. Hoc scilicet praeclarum obsequium Regiae
Majestati praestiterunt illi, postquam opes et substantiam
subditorum Catbolicorum in Momonia omnino absumpsissent et
secum abstulissent. Et bic notandum est Excell. D. Proregem
in pacis conclusione noluisse fidelibus Catholicis subditis
Corcagiae. Yeogbeliae, Kinsaliae, aliorumque locorum civibus
ac incolis f acere viam et f acultatem redeundi ad suas mansiones
et domicilia.

3° Catbolici duces juxta pacis articulos a Commissariis
quibus Confoederati Catbolici pacis exequendae fidem et curam
crediderant, praesentati et commendati et bac de causa per
Suae Excellentiae mandatum in exercitu imperium gerentes
• (uti Colonellus Patricius Purcell, qui in exercitu fuit Major
Greneralis, et Colonellus Petrus Fitzgerald, alias MacTbomas.
qui equitum commissarius) fuerunt potestate et imperio amoti
sine consensu commissariorum, nulla data per ipsos causa, nulla
eorum culpa : et loca ilia, nimirum Majoris Generalis in
Danielem O'Nellum, armigerum Protestantem et Commissarii
equitum in Guillelmum Yagban, equitem auratum similiter
Protestantem collata sunt, occiso vero dicto Guillelmo idem

142 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

locus Thomae Armstrong, equiti aurato Protestanti concessus
est.

4° Judicatura seu legalis ministrandae justitiae via ac
tribunal in ipsis articulis promissum, nequaquam praestitum aut
concessum est, sed omnes processus et causarum actiones
tantum per petitiones (ut vocant) chartaceas terminabaatur ;
unde privati scribae, secretarii aliique corrupti ministri subito
ditabantnr ; subditi vastabantur et absumebantur, nulla justitia
servata aut exhibita.

5° Navigatio quae maximum regni fulcrum et adminiculum
fuerat, omnino est suppressa : siquidem sua Excellentia exami-
nabat illos omnes, qui se suaquae ultro ad navigandum expone-
bant, navigationem sustentabant, et navium essent domini,
qualis fuit Capitanus Antonius aliique ; et justo plus favebat
Hollandis et aliis externis, in quorum, gratiam revocabat judicia
legaliter prius lata et sententias ante suam in regno autbori-
tatem definitive datas ; qua maritimonmi negotiorum pressura
ac neglectu providendi et stabilendi justi et recti tribunalis
Admiralli factum est, ut vix jam sit ulla reliqua in Hibernia
navis, quae yel litteras a nobis ad SuamMajestatem aut quemvis
Cbristianum Principem ferre posset.

6° Catbedralis Ecclesia Cluanensis, quam possidebamus cimi
pax concluderetur, per Baron de Insequin violenter nobis
sublata est contra pacis articulos, et quamvis querela ac expostu-
latio bac de re fuerit facta, nulla tamen justitia aut satisfactio
est praestita.

7° Oblationes, sepulturae et libri (ut vocant) pecuniae seu
stipendia, aliaeque obventiones ad Clerum Catbolicum in comi-
tatibus Corcagiae Waterfordiae, et Kierriae spectantes per
Ministros baereticos fuertmt usurpatae et detentae ne venirent
in manus Catbolicorum sacerdotum et Parocborum, idque nulla
bujus rei restitutione aut remedio dato.

8° Catbolici subditi in Momonia vivebant quasi in servitute
sub praeside Bar one Insequiniae, cum iidem illi essent eorum
judices qui nuper bostes, nee uUus Catbolicus, quamvis nobilis
ac generosus, ad Tribunal ac jus dicendimi admissus fuerit.

9° Regimen exercitus, fuit improvidxmi, incircumspectima, et
inf eliciter ominosum. Nibil toto orbe Cbristiano accidere visum
magis pudendum quam infortunium illud nostri exercitus apud
Ratbminiam prope Dublinium. Ibi sua excellentia (sicut viris.
magnae experientiae et in exterarum regionum militia probatis,
qui omnia lustrarunt, visum) tenebat potius quasi nundinas
mercimoniorum et causarum tribunal ludorum, compotationimi, et
voluptatum tabernam quambene ordinata militum castra aut aciem.

Vadipontum vi, impetu, et irruptione captum est, copioso
inibi nobilium et veteran orum militum, qui re vera fuerunt

AKD CLONMACNOISE. 143

Lageniensis militiae flos, sanguine crudeliter f uso. Waterfordia
perdita maxime ob imperitiam Gubernatoris cui ilia commissa
f uit, juvenis quidem vani et male consulti militis. Eossipontum
suae Excellentiae mandate, nulla facta hosti resistentia,
ti-aditum fuit per Colonellum Lucam Taffum, cmn tamen in
oppido secum haberet pro praesidio pene bis mille quingentos
railites ad pugnam et certamen ardentes : postea hostis instau-
ravit pontem magno illi quod Eossipontem alluit flumini super-
structum (res omnibus miraculi loco habita, nulli quare id
factum vel permissimi prorsus intellecta) nulla data resistentia
aut oppositione, cum interim noster exercitus resideret et staret
intra septem aut octo ad ilium locum milliaria, et ducenti
sclopetarii in Eosperkin ad alteram fluminis ripam tempestive
coUocati impediissent stupendi illius poutis structuram, ac
hostes loco et oppido ejecisseut. Carrigiam prodiderunt qui
inibi erant praesidiarii Protestantes, nostra vero exercitu ad
expugnandum boc oppidum postea ducto jussi sunt milites
pugnare contra muros et armatos bomines, ipsi sine tormentis,
scalis, ligonibus, aliisque instrumentis ad expugnandum oppidum
necessariis ; unde ex illis supra quingentos strenue dum pug-
narent occubuerunt, cum tamen prope Tbomapolim pedites nostri
duo ad unum ex bostibus, veterani ac probati milites pugnae
omnino avidi, favente illis multum contra bostem loci situ, a
pugnando f uerint probibiti ; unde miles et populus multum fuit
exanimatus : postea bostis quasi inundatione facta invasit et
occupavit Callaniam, Fidardiam, Cassiliam, Ki^lociam, et alias
Coiyorationes et oppida intra provincias Lageniae et Momoniae
sita et patriam circa ilia loca totam fecit sibi tributariam.
Capta deinde Logblinia et Kilkeunia, postea Clonmellia,
non tamen sine oppositione et bostium ad duo amplius millia
clade, facta saepius ad boc, ageneroso qui in praesidio erat, ac
strenuo Catbolico milite excursion e, Tecrobania et Catberlagum
duo f ortissima Lageniae propugnacula expugnata sunt et dedita,
et Arx Tecrobaniae (ut de aliis in praesenti nibil dicatur) ex
proregis jussione tradita est ; "Waterfordia undique obsessa in
misera conditione. Arx Dunkanania, regni clavis, nibil
subsidii accepit jam inde a prime die superioris Decembris unde
quasi derelicta est ut bosti tradatur.

10° Praelati, post numerosam illam congregationem cele-
bratam apud Clonmacnosiam (ubi emiserunt amplam suam
declarationem postea typis mandatam pro servitio Eegis promo-
vendo) ex post plurimos alios labores, conventus et consul-
tationes, in quibus suam abunde expresserunt integritatem et
sedulitatem, nequaquam tamen a sua Excellentia judicati sunt
suam, ut par erat, impendisse operam, in promovendo Eegis
servitio, sed potius in suspicionem et culpam vocati, ut constat

144 DIOCESE or ARDAGH

ex litteris suae Excellentiae ad Praelatos in oppido Jaeobo-
politano congregatos secundo die Augusti datis, et audita suut
quae exciderunt illi verba quoad quorum dam Praelatorum
personas periculosa.

11° Sua Excellentia exposuit Eegi, quasdam bujus regni
partes (quae tamen omnino id a se commissum negant) debitam
minime praestare obedientiam et boo modo obtinuit a Rege
Htteras quibus expressum fuit, ut si talis inobedientia ulterius
augeretur, suam ipse Prorex personam et regiam autboritatem
subtraberet et populum beneficio pacis vacuimi et destitutum
relinqueret : boc silicet praemium ex invidia erga Catbolicam
et fidissimam nationem a sua Excellentia repensum fuit pro
nostra fidelitate et obedientia, quam bonorum jactura satis pro-
bavimus et sanguinis prof usione signavimus.

12° Sua Excellentia et Caro Insequinniae, dum Catbolicorum
essent bostes, erant valde excitati et multa adversum nos nimis
inbumaniter patrarunt, ac innocentium et miserorum sacerdo-
tum atque aliorum Ecclesiasticorum sanguinem fuderunt.
Verum bac pace conclusa, minime fuere seduli ac nervosi, siquidem
plurimorum mensium spatio vixerunt in Connacia et Momonia
in locis, quibus nullimi periculimi immineret, nullusque erat
bostis ; ubi dies sues ducebant (prouti a pluribus notatum) in
ludis, Yoluptatibus, jocis, et epulis, dum alias regni partes cru-
deliter et sedido invaderet et opprimeret bostis, quo factum ut
vulgo existimatum f uerit ipsos non multum curasse aut doluisse,
quod regnum %uae Majestati eriperetur et perderetur.

] 3^. Sua Excellentia, rebus prospere succedentibus, oppida
et prciesidia capta Gubernatoribus Protestantibus, non vero
Catbolices, commisit et credidit. nimirum Vadipontum, Dun-
dalkam, Trimian et aKa loca. Qua iUius de Catbolicis diffidentia,
aliisque actionibus ac indiciis factum est, ut exercitus CatbolicuB
animimi ad pugnandum abjecerit et ab illius imperio aversus
fuerit. Praeterea multum timebant Catbolici milites ne futurum
esset ut CatboKci subditi et EeKgio ortbodoxa in pristinam
redigeretur seryitutem si bostibus ille praevaluisset, idque ipsum
Commissarii, vel certe maxima iUorum pars, aliique in regno
plurime metuebant.

14°. Nibil bic dicimus de multis corruptelis et injuriis regno
illatis, quales sunt traditiones custodiarum (ut vocant) et locorimi,
in quibus Abbatiam de Tristernagb quadringentas circiter libras
annuas pro censu afferentem tradidit Secretario Lano, pro qua-
draginta plus minus Kbris annuis, et Danieli O'Nello aliisque
multa talia loca simili concessit conditione in aerarii publici
prae judicium.

15°. Declaramus Catbolicis regni incoKs, plerasque de quibus
bactenus actum est, pressuras et pacis violationes fuisse oblatas

AND CLONMACNOISE. 145

et praeseiitatas pacis Commissariis ultimo mense Februario,
ut tarn clerus quam populus illarum reformationem et emen-
dationem a Sua Excellentia obtineret, et subditorum displicentia
removeretur, nuUam tamen satisfactionem aut emendationis
signum post octo jam menses (gravamina enim mense Deeembri
1649, Congregationi Cluonmacnosiensi porrecta fuere) appa-
raisse, et mala ilia quae ruinae ansam regno dederunt, semper
stare et manere ; et protestamur universo orbi nos omnem opem
ac operam adhibuisse ut populi timorem et diffidentiam averte-
remus, nee tamen praevaluisse.

16°. Praeter allegatas jaminjurias et violationem articulorum
pacis, contra religionem, regium jus, et nationem, nihil apparet
nisi desolatio, vastatio, deflagratio, et regni, cujus tres partes
nunc hosti factae sunt tributariae, destructio ; civitates, oppida
et loca munitiora in liostium devenerunt potestatem, altaria
diruta, templa perdita, sacerdotes caesi ac proscripti, sacra-
menta, sacrificia, ac sacra omnia profanata sunt et suppressa,
exercitus et magnus militum numerus a Catholicis fuit
liberaliter sustentatus, nulla tamen facta hosti resistentia ;
qui in hostem pugnarent examinati sunt, qui Catholicos pro-
derent animati et promoti ; nuUus denique apparet exercitus
aut defensio. Unde eo deventum ut desperent incolae recupe-
rare quod est perditum, aut tenere quod necdum perdiderunt et
pro vitae et fortunarum suarum conservatione proni sint ad
transigendum cum Parlamento, sibi persuadentes nuUam
salutem aut incolumitatem posse esse ipsis qui vivunt sub
Excellentissimi D. Proregis gubernio, cujus comites sunt sinis-
trum fatum et infortunium. Quibus malis ut occurratur et ut
regnum regiae Majestati et Catholicis suis subditis penitus
non perdatur, nos Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, et alii Praelati et
Dignitarii utriusque cleri in hoc regno, praemissa matura
deliberatione, judicavimus nos in conscientia teneri ad decla-
randum contra continuationem regiae authoritatis in persona
Marchionis Ormoniae, j)raemissa prius universo orbi hac pro-
testatione, quod nisi nos et regni populus pene universus
desperassemus de regno recuperando sub illius gubernio,
nunquam deveniremus ad banc declarationem. Itaque tarn
nostro quam aliorum Catholicorum regni nomine declaramus
contra dictum Marchionem Ormoniae, quippe qui malo suo
regni gubernio, infausto Regis exercitus ductu, violatione
publicae fidei erga populum specialiter in multis articulis pacis,
reddidit et exhibuit se incapacem continuandi illius magni
depositi, quarum omnium injuriarum et mali gubernii reus
tenetur respondere coram Sua Maj estate, in quem effectum nos
cum aliis regni membris contra ilium agamus, sua illi crimina
coram Sua Majestate objiciendo et justas illarum poenas

11

146 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

exposcendo, et hlsce notum ac manifestum facfmus unirerso
populo, illos minime teneri ad obedientiam dicti Marcbionis
mandatis aut decretis praestandam, sed debere illos donee
generalia regni comitia commode convocari possint, unanimes
stare contra communem bostem pro defensione Catbolicae
Religionis, regiis juribus, libertate, vita, et fortunis suis juxta
juramentum associationis, et interim, observare atque obedire
formae gubernii a Congregatione praescribendae, donee alitor a
Comitiis Generalibus statuatur, vel Sua Majestas super hoc
consulta aliud praescribat.

Et nos adjimctam excommunicationem eadem, qua baec
declaratio, die datam fulminamus in omnes qui buic nostra©
declarationi adversabuntur aut sese opponent.

Yos vero, 0 Christiani et Catbolici, luctuosam banc decla-
rationem quam afflictae Hiberniae calamitates et infortunia
nobis elicuerunt et extorserunt, lecturi persuadete vobis et
credite, nobis bene cognitum esse et perspectum quod praesens
bujus nationis conditio incHnet majis et vergat ad ruinam et
desperationem quam ad restaurationem et recuperationem.
Nibilominus nitimur magna Dei misericordia qui potest auferre
et a nobis removere gravia irae suae, belli et pestis, indicia,
si iniquitatibus abjectis yitam emendaverimus et tanquam
parvuli in sinum divinae misericordiae confugerimus. Itaque
sicut clamamus ad coelum et inde misericordiam rogamus, ita
identidem fateamur cimi lacbrymis et agnoscamus delicta nostra
et cum Isaia Propbeta ingemiscamus : " cecidimus quasi flos
universi et iniquitates nostrae quasi ventus abstulerunt nos."
Non est qui invocet nomen tuum Domine: non est qui con-
surgat et teneat te. Abscondisti faciem tuam a nobis, allisisti
nos in manu iniquitatis nostrae. Haec oratio ex corde prolata
nos coelo et nobis coelum reconciliabit et " quiescat ira Dei et
erit placabilis super malitia populi sui."

Quamvis vir bic nobilis aliud nibil nobis reliquerit nisi
infirmitatem, inopiam, et desolationem, quamvis bostis sit dives,
fortis, et potens fortior tamen et potentior est Deus. Ille
adjuvare nos potest et pro " sul nominis gloria liberabit nos
Deus Eliae," mirabilium et miraculorum Deus erit nunc etiani
apud Hibernos si fides nostra firma sit et actiones rectae ac
sincerae. Concludemus cum S. Paulo, illo sapientiae oceano et
gentium doctore : Si. Deus pro nobis, quis contra nos ? quis
accusabit adversus electos Dei ? Deus qui justificat ; quis est
qui comdemnet ? Quis ergo nos separabit a cbaritate Cbristi ?
tribulatio ? an angustia, an fames, an nuditas, an periculmn, an
persecutio, an gladius ? Sed in his omnibus superamus
propter eum qui dilexit nos. IS'ibil nos separet ab immensa
Cbristi cbaritate, et vo8 proteget, salvabit, benedicet Deus.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 147

Hugo Ardmacliaiius.

Joannes Archiepiscopus Tuamensis.

Joannes Rapotensis.

Eugenius Kilmorensis.

Franciscus Aladensis.

Nicolaus Fernensis et procurator Dubliniensfs.

Fr. Antonius Clonmacnosiensis.

Walterus Clonfertensis et procurator LegUinensis.

Jacobus, Abbas de Conga, et Commissarius generalis Canoni-

corum Eegulariura S. Augustini.
Fr. Guillelmus de Burgo, provincialis Hiberniae ordinis

Praedicatorum.
Fr. Thomas Kieran, Abbas de Buellio.
Fr. Bernardus Egan, procurator E,. admodum P. Provincialis

fratrum Minorum.
Carolus Kelly, S. T. D. et Decanus Tuamensis.
Fr. Ricbardus O'Kelly, procurator Vicarii Generalis Kil-
dariensis, et prior Rathbranensis ordinis Praedicatorum.
Joannes Doulaeus, I. U. D. Abbas de Kilmanagh et unus

ex procuratoribus Capituli et Cleri Tuamensis.
"Walterus Enos, S. T. D. protonotarius Apostolicus, Thesau-

rarius Fernensis, et procurator Praepositi Ecclesiae

CoUegiatae Galviensis.
Thadaeus Egan, S. T. D. Praepositus Tuamensis.
Lucas Plunkett, S. T. D. Protonotarius Apostolicus, Rector

CoUegii de Killeen, Exercitus Lageniae Capellanus

major.

Et nos infra nominati sedentes Galviae, cum Commissariis
autboritatem habentibus a Congregatione babita apud Jacobo-
polim 6° die praesentis Augusti, consentimus in eandem decla-
rationem cum supradictis Arcbiepiscopis, Episcopis, et aliis
Praelatis et Dignitariis, et eandem esse actum nostrum manifes-
tamus et manuum nostrarum subscriptione confirmamus die
23^ Augusti, 1650.

Thomas Cassiliensis.
Joannes Laonensis, Episcopus.
Edmundus Limericensis.
Fr. Terentius Imolacensis.
Robertus Corcagiensis et Cluanensis.
Jacobus Fallon, Vicarius Apostolicus Achadensis.
Postea suum nomen adjecit, Oliverius Dissaeus, Yicarius
Generalis Midensis.

148 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

THE lEISH EPISCOPATE IN THE YEAE 1714.

(From an Italian List in tlie Propaganda Archives, Rome,
dated the 4th of February, 1714.)

Diihlin. — Edmund Byrne, Archbishop.

Kildave and Lcig/ilin.— YacaTit.

Ossory. — Malachy Dulany, Bishop, appointed the 15th of

September, 1713.
Ferns. — John Verdun, Bishop, appointed the 14th of

September, 1709.
Meatk. — Luke Fagan, Bishop, appointed the 15th of

September, 1713.
Clonmacnoise. — Vacant.
Ardagh. — Bernard O'Donogher, Vicar Apostolic, appointed

the 20th of August, 1699.
Cashel. — Christopher Butler, Archbishop, appointed the

20th of August, 1711.
Watoford. — Eichard Pierse, Bishop.
CorT: and Cloyne. — Donatus M'Carthy, Bishop, appointed

the 16th of July, 1712.
KiUaloe. — Eustace Brown (secular priest) Bishop, appointed

the 16th of July, 1712.
Limerick. — Vacant.
Ardfert. — Vacant.
Tuam. — Francis de Burgo, Bishop, with the title of Mileto-

politanus in partibus.
EJjiJtin. — Ambrose Mac Dermott (0. S. D.) Bishop, appointed

the 30th of April, 1707.
Aclwnry. — Hugh MacDermott (secular Priest) Bishop,

appointed the 30th of April, 1707.
KilMa. — Thaddeus O'Eorke (0. S. F.), Bishop, appointed

the 15th of March, 1707.
Chnfert. — Ambrose O'Madden, Bishop, translated to this

See, the loth of September, 1713.
Kilmacduagh. — Vacant.
Armagh . — Vacant.
Kilmore. — Hugh MacMahon, Administrator, appointed the

22nd August, 1711.
Berry. — Vacant.
Raphoe. — ^Vacant.
Doicn and Connor. — Terence O'Donnelly, Vicar Apostolic,

appointed the 22nd of August, 1711.
Clogher. — Hugh MacMahon, Bishop, appointed the 31st of

March, 1707.
Dromore. — Patrick O'Donnelly, Bishop.

and clonmacnoise. 149

Petitiox of Irish Bishops and Clergy to the Holy See,
A.D. 1736.

(From tlie Diocesan Archives, Dublin.)

Beatissime Pater, —

Cum quidam Henricus O'Kelly, Canonicus Regularis
Ordinis S*^- Augustini Literas Apostolicas a Benedicto Felicis
Recordationis Papa XIII., 4° Idus Junii, 1729. Albani datas
obtinuerit, vi quarum non solum Abbatem S^^- Thomae, Dublinii.
Se nominat, verum etiam curam Pastoralem magnae ejusdem
civitatis partis, independenter a Dubliniensi Metropolitano, quo
penitus inscio pradictas literas quodamodo impetravit, sibi
impraesentiariun vindicat.

Hinc est quod nos infrascripti multa non tantum Clero
Dubliniensi (in Parliamenti, Proregis et Primariorum Regni
Judicum conspectu proximo periclitanti) verum etiam Kei
Catbolicae in aliis Kegni partibus gravia ex bac novitate incom-
moda praevidentes Sanctitatem tuam pro opportuno remedio
supplices imploramus.

Si enim ad aures eorum pervenerit a quibus ad praesens
Occupantur ampla patrimonia et redditus ad dictorum canonico-
rum Pegularium aliorumque Monacborum Monasteria olim per-
tinentia, dictos scilicet Monacbos Jura et privilegia a ducentis
circiter annis penitus sopita bisce temporibus sibi arrogare,
maxime verendum est ne iniqui isti possessores, bostes nostri
infestissimi. novam exinde Ecclesiasticos omnes per universam
Hiberniam persequendi ansam arripiant.

In omni enim Parliamenti nostri Sessione, nova nos conterendi
Statuta gratis excogitant, quidque sub f uco tantae provocationis,
homines etiam inter inimicos nobis semper infenssimos non
timendum perpetraturos ? Quam ergo rationem Villicationis
suae redderent Episcopi Hiberniae si mala baec gravia Sanctitati
tuae tempestive significare pretermitterent.

Cumque insuper Canonici E-egulares S'^- Augustini aliique
Monacbi fere onmes Yineam Domini in Hibernia ab aliquibus
circiter saeculis ab baereticis dilaniandam dereliquerint, cumque
Episcopi cum Clero seculari et mendicantium ordinum Patribus
qui omnes pondus diei et aestus protaverunt qui per tot tempo-
rum acerbitates, quique per tot persecutionum procellas fidem
avitam, etiam cum sanguinis et vitae discrimine illibatam con-
servare f ortiter satagerunt ; cumque dictos Monacbos animarum
curae in praetensis Parocbiis unquam praefectos fuisse omnino
incertum sit ; Indubitatissimum vero omnem auimarum solicitu-

150 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

dinem a tempore immemorabili ab eis derelictam et gregem
Christi a Lupis dispergendiun pro derelicto habuisse ; Propterea
ad remunerandos operarios in Vinea Domini tarn diu benemeritos ;
ad evitandas lites, discordias, et Hierarcbalis paeis eversionem,
et ad praevenienda quam plurima alia inuninentia mala, ex bis
similibusque aliorum Monacborum Innovationibus oritnra, ad
singularem sanitatis tuae Prudentiam et paternam protectionem.
submissius recurrimus suppliciter depraecantes ut dicto Canonico
Pegulari O'Kelly silentium imponatur, nibilque in rebus nostris
quod pacem Ecclesiae in discrimen, vel quod malevolos nostros
Inimicos irritet ad persecutiones excitandas inducere valeat
innovetur, Deus Op. Mad : Sanctitatem tuam quam diutissime
ad publicam CatboKcae religionis utilitatem incolumem servet
enixe precamur.

Dublinii, die 9^ Junii, 1736.

Sanctitatis tuae Obsequentissimi Famuli et Obedientissimi Filii.

Joannes,
Arcbpus, DubHniensis, Hiberniae Primas.

De Commissione,

Christophorus, Arcbpus, Casilensis.

Ambrosius, Epus, Fernensis.

Stephanus, Epus, Kildariensis et Administrator, Leigblinensis.

Patricius, Epus, Ossoriensis.

Bernardus, Arcbpus, Tuamensis.

Stephanus, Midensis Epus, &c.

Fr. Michael, Epus, Killmoriensis, O.P.

Fr. Petrxjs, Epus, Ardagbadensis.

Fr. Patricius, Elpbinensis, Epus.

CapituK Duhliniensis Dignitarii Suorum et totius capituli nomine.

DiONYSius Byrne, Ecclesiae Metropolitanae S*'- Patritii, DubHn-
iensis Decanus.
Jacobus Dillon, dictae Ecclesiae Praecentor.
Joannes Harrold, Cancellarius.
Simon Murphy, Tbesaurarius.
Thos. Austin, Arcbidiaconus DubHniensis.
BiCARDus Lyncolne, Arcbidiaconus Grland^-

AND CLONMACNOISE. 151

The following correspondence on the state of education to-
wards tlie close of the last century, before the establishment of
the College of Maynooth, cannot fail to be interesting : —

Memorial of the Irish Bishops to the Lord Lieute-
nant, THE 14th of January, 1794, with the Official
Reply.

(From the Diocesan Archives, Dublin.)

To His Excellency John, Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Lieute-
nant General, and Governor General of Lreland.

The Humble Memorial of the Prelates of the Roman Catholic
Communion in Ireland.

May it Please your Excellency, —

Your Memorialists beg leave, with the greatest deference, to
represent to your Excellency,

That a great number of his Majesty's subjects in this king-
dom are attached to the Roman Catholic religion, insomuch that
they have submitted to legal penalties rather than abandon it.

That the duties of morality have been taught, and_ religious
rites administered in the manner most acceptable to this portion
of his Majesty's subjects, by a body of clergymen educated
according to the discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. The
conduct of these clergymen has never suffered the reproach of
disaffection or irregularity ; on the contrary, they have been
compKmented, on many occasions, for assiduously instructing
their respective flocks in the sacred precepts of Christianity, and
for inculcating obedience to the laws, and veneration for his
Majesty's Royal person and Grovernment. Memorialists humbly
apprehend that the labours of a body of men thus occupied are
useful to the State, and that considerable detriment would ensue
to the cause of religion, and to that of good order, which is
connected with it, if the public were to be deprived of their
services.

Under the laws which formerly existed, your Excellency's
Memorialists were obliged to resort to foreign countries for
education, particularly to the kingdom of France, where they
had procured many valuable establishments. Four hundred
persons were constantly maintained and educated therein, for
the ministry of the Roman Catholic religion in Ireland. In the
anarchy which at present afflicts the kingdom, these establish-

152 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

ments have been necessarily destroyed, and even althougli lawful
authority should be restored, Memorialists conceive the loss to
be irreparable ; for the revenues would not easily be recovered,
and as the profligate principles of rebellion and Atheism, pro-
pagated by the faction which now rules that kingdom, may not
be speedily effaced, they would not expose youth to the conta-
gion of sedition and infidelity, nor their country to the danger
of thus introducing the pernicious maxims of a licentious philo-
sophy. Memorialists, therefore, are apprehensive that it may
be found difficult to supply the Ministry of the Roman Catholic
Church in Ireland with proper clerg}Tnen, unless seminaries,
schools, or academies be instituted, for educating the youth
destined to receive Holy Orders, according to the discipline of
their own Church, and under ecclesiastical superiors of their
own communion ; and they beg leave further to represent, with
all due respect and deference to your Excellency's wisdom, that
said institution would prove of advantage to the nation at large,
and be a matter of great indulgence to his Majesty's subjects
professing the Roman Catholic religion in Ireland.

Whilst sentiments unfavourable to the members of their
communion prevailed, your Excellency's Memorialists were
discouraged from seeking the means of Education in their
native country ; but conceiving that the demeanour of the
Roman Catholics has removed such ill opinion, they humbly
hope that the moral instruction of a people who have been
legally authorized to acquire landed property in this country,
and upon whom many other valuable privileges have been
conferred, under your Excellency's administration and auspices,
may appear to his Majesty's Ministers a subject not unworthy
of his Royal consideration and bounty. Your Excellency's
Memorialists are confirmed in this hope by the opinion often
and publicly expressed by respectable individuals of their Pro-
testant fellow- subjects, that it would conduce to the public
good to educate the Irish Ecclesiastics of the Roman Catholic
religion within his Majesty's dominions.

Your Excellency's Memorialists also beg leave humbly to
represent that, although the mode of education practised in the
University of Dublin may be well adapted to form men for the
various departments of public business, yet it is not alike appli-
cable to the ecclesiastics of a very ritual religion, and by no means
calculated to impress upon the mind those habits of austere
discipline, so indispensable in the character of a Roman Catholic
clergyman, that without them he may become a very dangerous
member of society.

That a distinct place of education is also necessary ; because
the regulations of the Roman CathoKc Church enjoin that

AND CL02JMACN0ISE.

153;

candidates for Holy Orders shall be proficients in certain
branches of learning, which are not included in the exercises of
the University of Dublin.

That even where the Roman Catholic is the established
religion, candidates for Holy Orders are obliged to receive the
most important part of their education in seminaries distinct
from the public TJniversities.

That many persons who destine themselves to the Ministry
of the Roman Catholic religion in Ireland, are not sufficiently
opulent to bear the expense of education in the University of
Dublin, and of constant residence in the metropolis ; it is, there-
fore, the more necessary to provide literary instruction for them
on more easy conditions ; and although the liberality of the
present heads of the University might induce them to receive
persons on the foundation, yet neither could a sufficient number
be thus accommodated, nor would it prove grateful to the
feelings of the parties, and many other inconveniences might
arise, if young men should observe great temporal advantages
conferred upon their fellow- students, whilst they were restricted
to the humble walk of a subordinate ministry.

From these considerations, and conceiving that piety, learn-
ing, and subordination would be thereby essentially promoted,
your Excellency's Memorialists are induced to undertake the
establishment of proper places for the education of the clerical
youth of their communion. Being advised by counsel that his
Majesty's Royal License is necessary, in order legally to secure
the funds which they may appropriate for that purpose, they
humbly beg leave to solicit your Excellency's recommendation
to our most gracious Sovereign, that he will be pleased to grant
his Royal License for the endowment of academies or semina-
ries for educating and preparing young persons to discharge
the duties of Roman Catholic Clergymen in this kingdom,
imder ecclesiastical superiors of their own communion.

John Troy,
Rom. Cath. Archb. of Dublin,

For myself, and on behalf of the Prelates of the Roman Catholic
Communion in Ireland.

January 14th, 1794.

Dublin Castle, January, 1795.

SlK,-

The Memorial which you laid before the Lord Lieute-
nant from the Roman Catholic Prelates of Ireland, praying a
recommendation to the King for the Grant of a Charter of In-

154 DIOCESE or ARUAGH

corporation to competent persons of their own communion, to
carry into effect the establishment of colleges, seminaries,
schools, or academies, for educating and preparing young
persons to discharge the duties of Roman Catholic clergymen
in this kingdom, under superiors of their communion, and
his Majesty's Royal License, to receive such donations as shall
be appropriated to that purpose, having, by his Excellency's
command, been referred to his Majesty's Prime Sergeant, A.
Horney, and Solicitor- General, to report their opinion what
might legally be done therein, I am commanded by his Excel-
lency to acquaint you that they have accordingly laid before
him a report, stating that by the Act passed in the thirty-third
3' ear of the reign of his present Majesty, the prayer of the Me-
morial cannot legally be complied with, and I have the honour
to send you herewith, by command of his Excellency, a copy of
the said Report at large.

I have the honour to be. Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

J. Hamilton.
Rev. Dr. Troy

Letter of the Irish Bishops to Mr. Gtrattan, the 2nd
February, 1795.

(From the Diocesan Archives, Dublin.)
Sir,—

We, the underwritten Roman Catholic Prelates of Ireland,
having, on behalf of ourselves and absent brethren, already
expressed our wants and wishes respecting clerical education,
in the Minutes submitted to your revision and correction, take
the liberty at present to explain some of them more particu-
larly, in order to remove misapprehensions, which may furnish
an occasion of perplexity or equivocation.

As the principle of our application to Parliament seems
universally admitted, we shall confine ourselves to those parts
only of the detail to which, as we hear, objections have been made.

It is said, that as our plan extends to the education of the
Laity, the appointment of Professors to lecture on Philosophy,
Mathematics, Rhetoric, and the languages, which are common
to clergy and laity, should not be vested in the Bishops only,
because these branches of learning are not intimately connected
with religion and morality, and much less with the peculiar
duties of ecclesiastics.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 155

We cannot subscribe to this position, as experience lias con-
vinced us of the fatal impressions made on youth, in all times
and places, particularly in France, by infidel, seditious, or im-
moral professors, even of Grammar, and proved the necessity of
scrupidous attention to the principles and conduct of every
teacher, previous to his admission into any seminary or school.
It is always more advisable to prevent evil in this manner, than
punish the whisperers of Atheism and Jacobinism, by a con-
trolling power in the Bishops to expel them ; moreover, the
exercise of this control will appear odious to many, must occa-
sion clamour, and would frequently excite disputes between
the Bishops and lay friends of those unworthy professors or
lecturers.

These observations, as you will perceive, are grounded on a
supposition that the intended colleges are to be regulated on
the precise plan presented to your consideration. We extended
it to general instruction, on the suggestion of our zealous and
patriot agent at London, who constantly assured us that it
was the earnest wish of the Duke of Portland, Earl Fitzwilliam,
Mr. Burke, and others, that the laity should not be excluded
from the benefit of public instruction in the proposed colleges.

It appears from our printed Memorial to Lord Westmore-
land, of which we enclose a copy, that our original views were
confined to clerical education only. This continues to be the
great object of our anxious wishes and solicitude ; and as no
one, to our knowledge, controverts the exclusive competency of
the Bishops to superintend and regulate it, we are perfectly
satisfied to arrange the education of persons not destined for
the Sacred Ministry on another proper plan, to be hereafter
concerted.

As four hundred clerical students are absolutely necessary to
preserve the succession of the Eoman Catholic clergy in this
kingdom, we have, after very mature deliberation, judged it
expedient to establish one house in each province for their
education. It is needless now to enter into a detail of our
motives. They are many and weighty. We shall mention
one : — By our having a college in each province, the opulent and
religious Catholics will be more strongly excited to grant dona-
tions to an establishment in their own neighbourhood, than they
-would be to others at a great distance, which many of them
may view with jealousy, and feel hurt at not being equally
accommodated.

We confidently hope that these four colleges will equally
partake of the National bounty in whatever sum it may be
granted by Parliament.

It never was our wish or intention that you should introduce

156 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

our plan of education, or any part of it, into Parliament, until
the Bill on General Emancipation should be disposed of, as we-
always consider the success of this to depend, in a great mea-
sure, on that of the other.

"We imderstand that the appointment by us of a Medical
and Chymical Lecturer is objected to, from our incompetency"
to judge of his knowledge in these sciences. It was our design ta
consult learned professional men on the choice of such Lecturers,
after ascertaining their principles and conduct. Neither did
this measure of a Chymical or Medical Professor originate with
us. It was likewise suggested by our agent at London, as
recommended to Grovernment from motives of humanity. We
shall most readily give up that point, if required, as it made no
part of our own original plan.

With the firmest reliance on your brilliant exertions in
promoting the measure we have so much at heart for the
advantage of society in this kingdom, and with due deference
to your instructions in conducting it on our parts.

We have the honour to remain, &c.

Dublin, 2nd February, 1795.

John Thomas Troy, of Dublin.
Thomas Bray, of Cash el.
Francis Moylan, of Cork.
Gerard Teahan, of Kerry.
William Coppinger, of Cloyne and Eoss.
James Caulfield, of Ferns.
Daniel Delany, of Kildare and Leighlin.
DoMiNiCK Belle w, of Kilalla.
Edmond French, of Elphin.
EiCHARD O'Eeilly, of Armagh.
Boetius Egan, of Tuam.
P. J. Pltjnkett, of Meath.
Hugh O'Eeilly, of Clogher.
Matt. Lennan, of Dromore.
John Cruise, of Ardagh.
John M'Mullan, of Down and Conor.
Charles O'Eeilly, Coadjutor of Kilmore.
Charles Dillon, Coadjutor of Kilfenora and
Kilmacduagh.

In October of that same year, 1795, Maynooth CoUege was
opened for the reception of fifty students, and the Eev. Dr.
Hussey appointed its first president.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 157

Minute of Queries addressed to the Bishops of Ireland,
WITH THE Answers, the 17th of February, 1795.

(From the Diocesan Archives, Dublin.)

The underwritten Prelates, anxious to forward the religious
views of their Venerable Brethren, now and lately assembled in
this city, respectfully submit the following queries to their
consideration and request an answer to each, for their particular
instruction and government in prosecuting the important
business of clerical education with his Majesty' Government,
Parliament, and others. These instructions are the more
necessarj'-, as circumstances may occur which may require
prompt decision, and render it impossible to receive timely
information from their absent brethren, in whose name they are
to act, and whose sentiments they wish to adopt.

Dublin, 17th February, 1795.

PicHARD O'Reilly.
John Thomas Troy.
P. J. Plunkett.

Queries.

1. Can the acting Prelates, above-mentioned, or any of
them, agree to the appointment of President or Professors in
the intended College or Colleges by Government, Parliament,
or any lay authority ? and, if not, what degree of interference
on the part of any of these is admissible ?

2. What answer are they to make to a proposal of nominat-
ing our Bishops by the King ?

3. Can they agree to a presentation of Bishops by the
diocesan clergy only, with exclusion of the provincial Prelates ?

4. In what manner are the Bishops to advise the Pope on
this subject?

Answers.

We, the under- written Prelates, having appoiated the Most
Pev. Richard O'Reilly of Armagh, John Thomas Troy of
DubKn, and Right Rev. P. J. Plunkett of Meath, to treat with
Government, Parliament, and others, on the very interesting
subject of CathoKc Education in this kingdom, with full autho-
rity to determine in conformity with our sentiments, which we
have expressed to them, do hereby further empower them, or any
of them, to intimate a general meeting of the Prelates in this

158 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

city, whenever they shall think it necessary or expedient for the
purpose of establishing and perfecting a plan for Catholic
Education in this kingdom. Notwithstanding our confidence
in the zeal, judgment, and discretion of the abovementioned
Prelates, which preclude every apprehension of their acting
improperly, or imprudently in the business committed to their
management and care, We the underwritten prelates give the
following answers to the above queries ; —

To the first. — Negatively. ISTo interference is admissible.

To the second. — The proposal is to be resisted in limine.

To the third. — They cannot.

To the fourth. — Not to agree to his Majesty's nomination, if
it can be avoided. If unavoidable, the king to nominate one
of three to be recommended by the respective provincial
Bishops.

DR. O'HIGGINS.

succeeded. He was descended in the paternal line from the
O'Higgins of Mayo, whence his father migrated to Longford
at an early age. He was related to the Right Reverend
Dr. MacNicholas of Achonry. His mother, Elizabeth Tyrrell
was a near relative of the ancient family of O'Connell, of
Granary parish of Columbkille, Co. Longford. His maternal
family were remarkable for talent, particularly in poetry. The
songs of Peter Roe O'Connell may still be heard warbled in the
rich pathetic Gaelic by the milkmaid as she passes by the
ruins of the old house of Cranery, looking over the bogs in the
direction of the picturesque Hill of Molly, on the one side, and
the wooded lakes of Gownd on the other, where the memory
of Columbkille is still fresh, as well as sacred. The poet,
George Nugent Reynolds, was a grandson of this Peter Roe,
and worthily maintained the poetic glories of his house. Two
other grandsons of the old bard, Peter and Harry C'Connell,
were killed at Granard, under the shadow of the Moat, in 1798,
as they were leading on the insurgents, and local tradition pre-
serves several romantic anecdotes of their chivalry and patrotism.
William O'Higgins was born in 1793 ; having been in-
structed in Irish and English by his mother, he was placed
under the tuition of a wandering classical teacher, who talked
nothing but Latin at his little pupil for three years and a-
half. His lordship used to excite hearty laughter by his
anecdotes of this good-natured pedant, whom he used to
picture as a person wearing a huge red wig, which, as if in
sympathy with the habits of the proprietor, was continually
findmg itself in the position it ought not to hold. Having com-

AND CLONMACNOISE. 159

pleted his classical course, he proceeded to Paris, in 1812, and
entered a French seminary. Here he continued till the peace
of 1815, when, in conjunction with other young Irishmen, he
successfully petitioned the Duke of Wellington for the re-
opening of the Irish College, and the restoration of many of
the bourses of which that foundation had been for a long time
defrauded. In consideration of his services he was appointed
to a professorship in the college, to which he was so substantial
a benefactor.

Not having reached the canonical age by some months, ho'
received a dispensation and was ordained priest. Soon after he
wrote to the Right Rev. Dr. Magauran, then Bishop of Ardagh,
for permission to go as a missionary to New South Wales,
and as Yicar-General to the newly- appointed bishop. Dr.
Magauran, desiring him for his own Diocese, did not accede to
his request ; and he continued his academical labours in the
Irish College, Paris. Having spent eight years of a distin-
guished and laborious career in Paris, and graduated senior
B. D., at the University ; his health began to sink rapidly
under his long sustained exertions, and being unable to con-
tinue attendance on his class, he resigned his professorship, and
set out for a more genial climate, intending at the same time
to go on with his studies in some other university. He resided
for a short time at Vienna, but his health still continuing pre-
carious, he quitted that university and proceeded onward to
Eome, the city of his soul. Here his health being completely
renewed, he continued his studies for five years more at the
university, under the superintendence of some of the most
illustrious theologians, and canonists of the day, and amidst the
inspiring associations of the Doctors and Martyrs of our hol}'^
Church.

In 1825, after a brilliant academical display, which lasted
for eight days, he was admitted Doctor of Divinity, in the most
flattering manner. Although nothing could exaggerate the
complimentary character of his diploma of Doctor at Rome, be-
seemed to refer, in after life, with greater pleasure to his testi-
monials from the Sorbonne. He taught philosoph}'-, theology,
Scripture, and Canon Law at various times, and in various
colleges, and used to reckon fifteen bishops who had studied
under him at some time or other ; besides innumerable Pro-
fessors and Superiors of colleges. The Most Rev. Dr. Kenrick,
and the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon are amongst those of his teaching,
whom the Church raised to its high places.

In 1826, he returned to Ireland, and successfully competed
for the chair of Dogmatic Theology at Maynooth, in the first
public Concursus ever held at that college. Dr. O'Higgins

160 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

had only been about one montb at Maynooth, wlien be was
examined before Commissioners appointed by bis Majesty, to
inquire into the doctrine taught at Maynootb, and, indeed, in
tbe whole Catholic Church. The depth and variety of his
information ; his lucid, masterly, statements of the Catholic
doctrines ; his correct and satisfactory exposition of the Gallican
and Ultramontane theories; his admirable definition of the
Papal authority, and the logical precision and accuracy of his
replies to all the various questions put to him on that occasion,
have been the theme of admiration, even by those most hostile
to his creed. On the death of his dear friend, the Eight Eev.
Dr. Magauran, in 1829, he was called on to preside over his
native diocese, and was consecrated bishop on the 30th of
November in that year.

Dr. MacHale preached the consecration sermon in Bally-
mahon, where the ceremony took place. They had been great
friends since Dr. O'Higgins' brilliant display at the Concursus,
after which the celebrated Dr. Doyle said : "It is a great
blessing for the Irish Church to have such a man as Dr.
O'Higgins on the staff of the MajTiooth professors."

Dr. MacHale afterwards, in his letters to Lord Shrewsbury,
wrote the following remarkable words : — " Dr. O'Higgins is the
best authority on Canon Law in the British dominions."

Some years after his accession to the Episcopacy he com-
menced erecting a magnificent cathedral in Longford, an edifice
of the purest Grecian architecture, upon which nearly £40,000
have been expended, and not yet" fully completed.

The following description of it was written by the bishop
himself, and read in the churches throughout the Diocese in
October, 1841. In that pastoral he stated that the Cathedral
was in a state of great forwardness, that the priests of the
Diocese had subscribed to it most generously, that he would
visit in person every parish in the Diocese during the coming
winter, and enrol the names of contributors, and sums sub-
scribed by them, in the Diocesan Register, and that the bishop
and his clergy will offer the Holy Sacrifice once a year and for
ever, for the temporal and spiritual welfare of the subscribers : —

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ARDAGH.

" The Ardagh Cathedral, which is already in a state of great forwardness,
will be of the purest Grecian architecture, and entirely built of the finest cut
stone, joined throughout with sheets of lead. Its front will exhibit six mag-
nificent Ionic columns, enclosing a spacious portico. The tower (nearly 200
feet high) wUl be partly composed of alternate tiers of Corinthian pillars.
The interior will be divided into three aisles, will contain seven marble altars ;
and the roof will be supported by twenty-six lofty Ionic columns of polished
variegated marble. Its site is the town of Longford, the very centre of the

AND CLONMACNOISE. 161

Diocese, and of Ireland, It will be dedicated in honour of St. Mel, first
Bishop of this ancient See, and nephew of St. Patrick, by whom, at the very
commencement of his Apostleship, he was consecrated in the same parish where
the Cathedral now stands. For the last three hundred years, a Catholic
Church of this splendour would not have been tolerated in Ireland, nor, indeed,
had the Catholics, up to the present, adequate means, nor were they in suf-
ficient numbers in Ardagh, to accomplish so glorious an undertaking. When
finished it will be the chasest, most extensive, and most elegant church of
modern times, in any part of the United Kingdom." See Appendix for
first Pastoral Letter on this subject, addressed by Dr. O'Higgins, in 1841, to the
«lergy and laity of Ardagh.

It was certainly a wonderful idea, having regard to ttie
circumstances of time, place, and the poverty of Ardagh. Two
things must be presupposed in a bishop conceiving such a
gigantic project in the face of most adverse circumstances : viz.,
great faith in God and the charity of the faithful, and a mind
•cultivated and matured among Continental Cathedrals and
Colleges.

Dr. Higgins was not less esteemed by his flock than by his
brother bishops. Whenever the Irish Church was to be repre-
sented at any foreign court Dr. O'Higgins was selected for that
honourable office, for which his familiarity with various
European languages, the courtesy and dignity of his manners,
and his acquaintance with many of the principal men of Europe
eminently qualified him. Amongst his papers have been found
autograph letters from Emperors and Popes. He was deputed
to visit the Irish College at Paris ; he was unanimously chosen
to go and treat with the Court of Belgium about the Irish
educational foundations lost during the revolution, a great
portion of which he recovered, and twice he went to Rome,
sent by a majority of the Prelacy, on the question of education.
As a patriot. Dr. O'Higgins ranked first amongst the Hierarchy.
He was greatly attached to O'Connell, and O'Connell was not
less attached to him. He was in fact the Dr. Croke of that
period. He was a Catholic first, and afterwards a true Irishman,
before, above, and beyond eTerything else.

In 1843, when Ireland held a position before the nations to
which posterity will look back as perhaps the brightest and
grandest page in her chequered history, after the name of
O'Connell stood the name of the Bishop of Ardagh, on the
roll of honour. His memorable speech at the Repeal Meeting
in Mullingar created a sensation which pervaded every class in
the United Kingdom. His wrathful denunciation of land-
lord corruption and tyranny made the oppressors of the poor
tremble. The enemies of justice and freedom assailed him
from every side, but he went on undaunted by them.

After the meeting in Mullingar he was fiercely and bitterly
assailed, in and out of Parliament, as a dangerous demagogue.

12

162 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

The Press teemed with the most virulent abuse, and the Govern-
ment was called on most peremptorily to crush so dangerous-
an incendiary, and extingmsh at once the formidable agitation^
O'Connell warmly defended the character of his friend, Dr.
O'Higgins, and repaid the invectives of his enemies in his ownr
scathing sarcasm. Everyone may remember the withering satire
with which helashed Lord Beaumont for his attack on the Bishop
of Ardagh, and the flattering panegyric with which he consoled
the Prelate. Nor did the threats of power much affect the good
bishop ; instead of shrinking into obscurity, as his enemies no
doubt expected, he defied the whole power of England to put
down the Eepeal Agitation in the Diocese of Ardagh. " They
may," said he, " prohibit us from assembling under the canopy of
Heaven, but we will retire to our chapels to take counsel for the
freedom of our country and our faith, and should they pursue-
us there, then — then — then — Let echo answer them ! "

"When Ireland fell back prostrate and bleeding, and grief and
despondency descended upon the most sanguine, when the lamp
of the Liberator was quenched in gloom, the heart of the-
prelate gradually gave way. His health sensibly declined
from the day of O'Connell's death, and though he tried at times
to rally, he wanted the animation of hope; the food of his-
glory, the staple of his existence was gone. Dr. O'Higgins
added the 0 to his name after O'Connell's death. For months-
before his demise. Dr. O'Higgins was seriously indisposed, and
after a painful and lingering illness, which he bore with great
patience, he departed this life on the 29th of January, 1853, ia
the sixty-third year of his age.

It has been already stated that Dr. O'Higgins was deputed
by the Irish Bishops on more than one occasion to represent
them at Pome on controverted questions of great moment-
Such a question was the Academical Education Act, proposed
in 1847, for the acceptance of the Irish Hierarchy. But they
could not accept it. They considered it their duty to recom-
mend a Catholic University in imitation of Belgium. Their
action was approved at Pome. Hostile influences, however,,
were brought to bear upon the Poman Court and with some
appearance of truth by Lords Minto and Shrewsbury. Diffi-
culties of considerable magnitude arose out of their united repre-
sentations at Pome. A letter from Cardinal Fransoni to the
Irish Bishops, recommending ^moderation and unity followed.
This admonitory docmnent led to energetic action in various
quarters. A meeting of some of the bishops was held a few
weeks after the appearance of a letter, dated 19th March, 1848,.
and addressed by Lord Clarendon to Dr. Murray, Archbishop
of Dublin. At that meeting Drs. MacHale and O'Higgins were-

AND CLONMACNOISE. 163

unanimously requested by the assembled bishops to set out for
Rome and represent their yiews. The deputed bishops accepted
their commission with some reluctance, and departed for Rome
soon after Easter. On the 12th of April Dr. O'Higgins wrote
in high spirits from Marseilles, that they had arrived there
safely the previous night, were to leave probably the next day,
and expected to be in Rome on the following Sunday afternoon.
An imexpected and almost fatal circumstance unfortunately
intervened. It was a narrow escape from drowning, under
the following circumstances. Having reached Civita Yecchia,
in the afternoon of the next day. Dr. O'Higgins was walk-
ing by the seashore with some ecclesiastical dignitaries
and observed a ship on the point of being wrecked by a
great storm. The bishop said it would be well to give the
crew absolution in their extreme danger. On reflection it
occurred to him that the distance was too great for the words
to have effect. A few sailors had a boat close by. The bishop
hired the boat and started at once to the sinking vessel. He
reached in time to give the crew absolution en masse. Directly
he had finished the act of absolution a wave swept over the
small boat in which he stood and carried him into the sea. He
struggled with the waves as best he could for a few minutes,
and was upon the point of being drowned when one of the crew
jumped from the vessel saying, " I will risk my own life to
save the bishop's." This sailor had a rope tied round his body,
and gallantly swam out and rescued Dr. O'Higgins from a watery
grave. On inquiry it turned out the courageous sailor was a
County Roscommon man. Next day the bishops started for
Rome. Here they encountered some difficulties, for the question
of the Queen's Colleges was at that time truly a vexed question.
Dr. Wiseman, then residing at Rome, and Dr. Nicholson, Arch-
bishop of Corfu, and Dr. Ennis, a highly respectable parish
priest of the Diocese of Dublin, and then in Rome, did not take
the same view of the educational question as Drs. MacHale and
O'Higgins. Rome is proverbially slow ; being for all time, she
need not be in a hurry. Eight or nine months passed over
before a final pronouncement was made. On the 14th of
September, Dr. O'Higgins wrote to Dr. Maginn, Bishop of
Derry, " We have at length left our final expose in print with
the Pope and Cardinals. The case will be discussed on the 25th
of this month in a fidl Congregation, and the opinions of their
Eminences will be laid before the Pope on the following
Simday." Shortly after the Pope issued a Rescript to the Irish
Bishops, renewing his condemnation of the Queen's Colleges,
and requesting them to erect a Catholic University similar to
that in Louvain. It is creditable to Ardagh that its bishop

164 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

took sucli a leading part on tlie right side in this great question,
wliicli is still a standing grievance. The following are some of
the letters written from Rome by Dr. O'Higgins in reference to
this monstrous injustice forced upon an old Catholic nation of
high renown in the educational world before the coming of
Henry II : —

My dear Lord,

Irish College, Home,

September Uth, 1848.

Your Lordship's kind letter of the 26th of August
reached me here in due time. I was delighted in reading every
portion of it, but more particularly that which had reference to
your communication to the Holy Father.

Such documents are calculated to do great service to the
cause of truth, and yours has given much satisfaction to His
HoHness. We have at length left our final expose in print with
the Pope and the Cardinals. The case will be discussed on the
25th of this month in a full Congregation, and the opinion^of
their Eminences wiU. be laid before the Pope on the following
Sunday. " Pendente lite'' it would be rash to speak with
absolute certainty ; still I venture to say, the decision will be
fully to our wishes.

You can scarcely conceive the unjustifiable means resorted
to by our blind and miprincipled opponents. Everything that
systematic lying, or British intrigue, as well as the base con-
duct of false brethren could effect, was called unscrupulously
into reqidsition ; but the justice of the cause and the prayers
of the faithful have, so far, baffled our enemies and left us high
in the ascendant.

All will depend on the Pope's Placet on the 25th. May it
be inspired by the Holy Ghost ! Your next meeting will be of
transcendent importance, and I ardently hope that your Lord-
ship and the other worthy Prelates of the province will be in
Dublin several days before the general assembling of the
Prelates. This will be absolutely necessary, in order to make
due preparations to meet the common enemy. Probably you
will be assailed by menaces, flattery, or delusive promises, and
aU must be opposed with discernment, courage, and perseverance.
It would be weU, if not necessary, to express deep sympathy
with the calunmiated, persecuted, and half- starved Irish people,
as also with His Holiness in his great difficulties. As to the
claims of the truth- telling, high-minded, and paternal Whigs on
the approval, direct or indirect, of the Irish clergy, the extent
of such claims will be found in. their government of Ireland

AND CLONMACNOISE. 165

for the last three years. Bold speaking should be the order of
the day, and " No Surrender " our watchword.

The more firmly you express your opinions, the more will
you be approved of here. In every sentiment which I thus
venture to express to your Lordship, I am most cordially joined
by the Archbishop of Tuam.

Minto is hourly expected in Eome. The Archbishop sends
his most sincere regards. My dear Lord, ever faithfully and
affectionately yours,

i^W. O'HiGGINS.

Most Kev. Dr. Maginn.

Irish College, Rome.

My dear Lord, —

In my letter of the 23rd of this month I gave your
Lordship a general idea of the contents of Dr. Ennis' pamphlet,
regarding the "Corrected Statutes" for the Infidel Colleges.
He has laboured to have these statutes approved of by the Holy
See, and the Pope's condemnation of the Colleges revoked,
entirely regardless of the opinions of the great majority of the
Irish Bishops ; but, thank Grod, in this respect he has been
signally defeated. A copy of his pamphlet, of the Corrected
Statutes, &c., will forthwith be furnished by Rome to every
prelate in Ireland, asking his opinion on the subject, and thus
the dangerous intrigues of a heretical viceroy, and his ecclesi-
astical abettors will be laid bare before Catholic Ireland. Let
us hope that henceforth no man will attempt to treat with
Government on a subject affecting our whole body, without
first obtaining our explicit consent. The Archbishop of Tuam
and myself intend to reply in our own names to Dr. Ennis'
pamphlet, imfolding its sophistry, and reiterating our repro-
bation of the Colleges. We have no doubt that when your
Lordship sees this pamphlet, you wiU, in the soundness of your
judgment and in your anxiety for the preservation of the faith,
repeat your condemnation of these insidious and most dangerous
institutions. In my anxiety that your Lordship should, with-
out delay, have a clear notion of the leading features of the pam-
phlet, I beg leave to submit the following observations :

1. Lord Clarendon, in his letter to Dr. Murray, affects to
look upon him as the organ of the Episcopacy, nor does it
appear that his Grace declines acting in that capacity.

2. He gives Dr. Murray the whole of the College Statutes,

IGG DIOCESE or ARDAGH

and lends but a very few extracts to the Pope and tlie Propa-
ganda. Both his Grrace and Lord Clarendon appear familiar
with pre-existing Statutes, of which the body of the prelates
have no cognizance whatever. His Excellency excuses himself
for not having furnished Dr. Murray with the Corrected
Statutes at an earlier day, by stating that the whole attention
of the Grovernment was absorbed in efficiently relieving all the
distress of the Irish poor !

3. The Corrected Statutes, as they are termed, change
nothing substantial in the Act : can themselves be changed by
any other viceroy, and, though passed into law by Parliament,
would not afford the least protection to Catholic faith or morals,
as they leave all the appointments of the professors and other
officers to the will and caprice of a heretical monarch. Such are
the flimsy and insulting safeguards which Dr. Ennis and his Grrace
of Dublin think quite sufficient to protect our Catholic youth
and our holy religion in Ireland, against the power, the wealth,
the bigotry, the proverbial treachery of heretical England. Dr.
Ennis has presented his pamphlet to the Pope and the Cardinal
Prefect. It ends with a commentary from himself, recom-
mendatory of the Statutes and the Colleges. Of this com-
mentary I may say, in general terms, that it is sophistical, in-
sulting, lying, and calumnious of the Irish bishops, priests, and
people. It states that it is very proper and wise to leave all
the appointments in the hands of the crown, as the Catholic
Bishops might otherwise appoint their own political favourites,
or persons totally incapable of fulfilling their respective duties.

4. That for the last thirty or forty years every Act of Par-
liament passed for Ireland, had in view the protection of the
Catholic religion in that country ; and that it was necessary to
leave the whole direction of the Colleges with the Crown, to
guard against the unmeaning stubbornness with which the Irish
Bishops would oppose the plans of every possible G^overnment.

5. That the Grovernment will, and ought to proceed with
the Colleges, despite of all episcopal, priestly, or lay opposition,
in order to educate the Catholic youth of Ireland in a manner
worthy of the true principles of the Catholic religion.

6. That all the lay Catholics of Ireland are panting for the
completion of the Colleges — that they will rush to them in
crowds, profoundly grateful to their generous founders.

7. That the Government bountifully distributes £100,000 a
year, chiefly between the Catholic Bishops, for the education of
the poor, gives £26,000 annually to Maynooth, that too much
lay Catholic confidence in religious matters should not be placed
in such a Government, is too puerile to merit a reply.

8. The commentary closes by stating that in no country in

AND CLONMACNOISE. 167

the world is the Catholic religion so protected by Government as
in Ireland, that we must not be squeamish in looking for
*' optimism," and insinuates in a menacing tone that whatever the
Pope, Cardinals, or Bishops may do, the Government and the
people of Ireland will successfully carry out the glorious
principles of the Colleges ! "What will the pure faith and simple
piety of Catholic Ireland say to this impious and monstrous lie?
Is there a parish in the kingdom whose priests and people will
not at once assemble, and in a series of plain resolutions, tell
Jlome and the world their real opinions of the Colleges and their
patrons ? This is a duty so obvious and so urgent that I shall
not insult your lordship by recommending its performance.
Dr. MacHale and I are of opinion, that, when Ennis' pamphlet
«comes to hand, a joint reply from the orthodox Prelates of Ulster
would prevent any apparent discrepancy that might appear in
individual answers. This reply should be forwarded to Eome
as soon as possible. The Archbishop of Tuam concurs in every
sentiment I here express ; and I must trouble your Lordship
to have accurate copies of this letter written out and forwarded
without delay to every Prelate in Ulster, who entertains our
opinion on the Colleges Question. His Grace writes to the
provinces of Munster and Connaught on this subject, and begs
me to present his affectionate regards. Dr. Nicholson is
expected daily. He is the bearer of some intriguing documents ;
so that we are likely to be kept busy.

^ W. O'HiGGINS.

DR. O HIGGINS AS A PROMOTER OF EDUCATION.

The mind of Dr. O'Higgins, from the beginning of his
episcopacy, was much occupied with this great question. There
lies before me a letter of his, dated from Ballymahon, March 17,
1832, which shows his anxiety to have established an ecclesias-
tical seminary in Ardagh. It was addressed to the lay gentle-
men of recognised position in the diocese. The following is the
letter : —

Sir,—

You are, no doubt, already aware that, for the last few
centuries, no classical seminary of any note has existed in the
extensive and populous Diocese of Ardagh. This circumstance
has been but too often the cause of sad deficiency in the education
of professional men, who are generally chosen from the middle
classes of society; and has also been the fertile source of

168 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

ignorance and immorality in the humbler ranks of life. The
benevolent and enlightened of every persuasion, have, at all
times, deplored this evil ; but, hitherto, no practical effort has
been made to apply the proper remedy. Being anxious even for
the temporal improvement of that class of persons, whose spiritual
concerns are intrusted to my guidance, I have imdertaken to
erect a house, where the youth of Ardagh, who may destine
themselves either for the Church or any other liberal profession,
can, from their tenderest years, be habituated to virtue, and
carefully instructed in classics and in science. It shall be a
fundamental rule of the establishment to lose no opportunity of
improving the youthful heart, by instilling into it a hatred o£
vice, a love of everything that ennobles the human mind, and an
unbounded benevolence towards all classes of our fellow-men»
Whatever profits may arise from the pensions of the students,,
shall be scrupulously applied for the sole benefit of the institu-
tion ; and, consequently, for the greater diffusion of education,
by being thus enabled progressively to reduce the pensions
themselves. With such a system, a family, even of limited
means, will be able to educate tivo or more children for the
expense which must be now incurred for the education of one,
in any respectable seminary ; where, it is to be feared, the
accumulation of wealth is frequently the main object.

The clergy and myself have sacrificed, on the occasion, as
much as our slender abilities could possibly afford ; but, without
the generous co-operation of the landed proprietors of the diocese,.
we can scarcely hope for success. Those to whom I have applied,,
have been pleased to set the highest value on the undertaking —
all have contributed ; and, indeed, for the greater part, in a most
liberal manner. May I then request the honour, Sir, of your
becoming a subscriber, as I have no doubt that you will serve as-
a powerful stimulus to others.

Begging to be excused for the liberty I have taken, and
awaiting the favour of a reply, I have the honour to be, with
sincere respect,

Your very obedient himible servant,

^ W. HlGGINS,

Catholic Bishop.

Note. — Shortly after he became bishop, he set about getting
up classical schools in the principal towns of his diocese. He
succeeded in Ballymahon, Longford, Athlone, and even in
Drimilish. In this latter town he paid a teacher, named Logan,
£20 a year from his own private means. Logan afterwards
became a priest.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 1Q9

In the following montli of the same year, he addressed a
letter to the clergy, announcing the abolition of Saturday's
abstinence throughout the entire country, and some of the
reasons which led the Pope to grant such powers to the Irish
prelates. He concluded the letter by the following words : —
" I have now to call the undivided attention of your pious flock
to a subject that concerns them in a most especial manner, it is
one that cannot but interest every sincere CathoKc among them.
I allude to the college we are about to establish for the educa-
tion of the youth of this diocese. It is an imdertaking of no
ordinary difficulty. It is the Jirst attempt of the kind made in
Ardagh since the so-called Reformation." Various circumstances,
however, prevented the success of this project. A classical school
was soon after established at Ballymahon, under the immediate
supervision of the bishop, and it was a great improvement upon
all such schools previously existing in the diocese. The ecclesiasti-
cal seminary, however, was clearly still in the mind of the bishop,
notwithstanding the partial failure of the first attempt; for in
subsequent years, even after he had laid the foundation stone of
the cathedral, and weighted himself with that gigantic work, an
entry in his diary shows that he made arrangements for the
selection of a site of a diocesan coUege on a rising ground,
outside the town of Longford, now in possession of Mr. John
Hare. The depression of the times in '46 and following years
prevented the carrying out of this project. Several entries in
his diary record the return of various donations received for that
purpose, together with the names of the donors.

The following papers were printed by the order of Dr.
Higgins, for the inspection of the Irish Bishops, in order to
give their Lordships a detailed account of his endeavours to
execute the commission with which they honoured him at one
of their general meetings.

For the greater satisfaction of the prelates, and for the
purpose of avoiding any inaccuracy that might possibly arise
from translation, he gave the official documents in the original
French. He also added a few observations in English, which
he deemed necessary for thoroughly explaining the subjects to
which they refer.

That his motives for adopting the line of proceeding which
he pursued in the Netherlands, might be clearly understood, he
felt it necessary to say a few words on the state in which he
found the Irish foundations, on his arrival in that country. His
first care was to ascertain their precise amount, that he might
thereby be enabled to decide whether or not he could prudently
undertake to re-establish an Irish college in Belgium, and he
soon discovered, that, without additional means, no such project

170 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

<30uld be realised, Tlie house which, the Irish formerly possessed
in Louvain, had been already sold, and their Bourses had been
either totally diverted from their original destination, by con-
ferring them on Belgian students and other persons without just
claims, or had been grossly mismanaged by bad administrators.
Thus, the slender income which might still be claimed as Irish
property, would be manifestly inadequate to the support of any
seminary whatever.

In these circumstances, the only alternative left to Dr.
Higgins was, to ask for a transfer of the property to Ireland.
He had reason, however, to know, that any appKcation to effect it
would meet with strenuous opposition from different quarters,
and would not be complied with, without considerable modifica-
tion. He therefore thought it prudent to demand permission
for selling out the entire funds, and his application for this purpose
will be found in the following letter, which opens his negotiation
with the Belgian Grovernment : —

The following is the correspondence relating to his visit to
the Court of Belgium about the educational foundations lost
during the Revolution, a great portion of which was recovered
by him : —

Bruxelles, le 3 Mai, 1833.

Monsieur Le Ministre,

Envoye par les Archeveques et Eveques d'lrlande, ainsi que
par les autres personnes interessees aux Bourses etablies en Bel-
gique en faveur d'etudians Irlandais, je prends la liberte de
reclamer du Gouvernment Beige une mesure, que I'accomplisse-
ment de I'intention des fondateurs rend lecessarie, gcavoir : de
permettre que le peu de biens, qui ferment encore la dotation de
ces Bourses, soient vendus, et que le produit en soit remis a la dis-
position des Archeveques et Eveques d'lrlande afin que ces f onda-
tions soient administrees sous leursyeux et leur surveillance. Cette
demande est principalement appuyee sur les considerations sui-
vantes, qui demontrent que I'accomplissement des intentions des
fondateurs exige absoiument q^g ^g changement ait lieu. Les
fondateurs, qui tons etoient Irlandais, ont transporte en Belgique
les fonds necessaires pour ^tablir ces Bourses, parcqu'a cette
^poque il n'etait pas possible de faire de semblables fondations
en Irlande, et qu'il y etait defendu aux Catholiques d'avoir des
colleges ou des seminaires, tandis qu'ils possedoient de sem-
blables etablissemens en Belgique, diriges par des Irlandais, et
organises de maniere, k ce que les jeunes — gens, y recussent
I'instruction convenable pour les rendre propres a exercer les
fonctions ecclesiastiques en Irlande. Aujourdhui le contraire a

AND CLONMACNOISE. 171

lieu ; car non seulement les colleges Irlandais qui existoient eu
Belgique sont supprimes, et ne peuvent, faute de moyens, etre
retablis, mais les Catholiques ont forme en Irlande plusieurs
colleges et seminaires pour les etudes ecclesiastiques. La sup-
pression des colleges Irlandais qui ont existe en Belgique, a
pour resultat, que les jeunes Irlandais ne peuvent etudier avec
aucun succes dans ce pays ; car quoique les seminaires episco-
peaux soient bien organises, la difference des langues et plusieurs
-autres circonstances, les rendent moins propres pour former des
Pretres pour la mission d'Irlande.

Ces considerations vous convaincront, Monsieur le Ministre,
-que le but que les fondateurs ont eu en vue, ne saurait etre
atteint dans I'etat actuel des clioses. La mesure que je reclame,
en assurant I'execution de leurs intentions, ne saurait nuire a
personne, et sera d'autant plus avantageux a nos pauvres etu-
dians, quelle leur epargnera les frais, les dangers, et la perte
de temps qui a cette epoque de leur vie est tres prescieux, ainsi
que les autres inconveniens qui seroient inseperables des voyages
qu'ils seroient aujourdhui forces de faire pour venir jouir de
ces Bourses en Belgique. EUe aura egalement pour resultat, de
de particuiiers, qj^ ^q procurcr ainsi au tresor de I'etat les droits
faire rentrer les biens et rentes de ces fondations dans les mains
de mutations et de succession, dont ils deviendront susceptibles.
Je pense que pour m'acqu'itter fidelement de la mission dont je
suis charge, il est de mon devoir de faire toutes les diligences
possibiles pour obtenir ce cbangement ; et c'est dans ce dessein
Monsieur le Ministre, que je prends la liberte de m'adresser a
vous, avec la ferme confiance que vous voudrez bien proposer et
expliquer a sa Majeste le Roi des Beiges la mesure que jai
I'honneur de reclamer.

Je suis avec une parf aite consideration, Monsieur le Ministre,

Votre tres hiunble et tres obeissant serviteur,

►^ GuiLLAUME HlGGINS,

Eveque Catholique d'Ardagh, en Irlande.

Tbe Minister, after having considered the object of the fore-
going letter, intimated to Dr. Higgins that his demand on the
Belgian Government seemed of too extensive a nature to be
favourably received, and the more so, as a formal application
made by Prussia, for the mere annual transfer of some revenues
similarly circumstanced with those of Ireland, had been positively
rejected. He added, however, that Dr. Higgins' letter should
be submitted to the consideration of the permanent Commission
•of the States- General, the Corporation of Louvain, the Pro visors

172 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

of Public Bourses, and tlie Archbisliop of Mechlin, as no decision,,
he said, could be given without previously consulting these
authorities.

Dr. Higgins waited on every member of these bodies, and
endeavoured to induce them to admit the justice of his claims ;
but with the exception of the Archbishop, and very few others,,
he foimd them most stubbornly adverse to any measure that
might have for its object, not only the sale of the funds, but also
the spending of the revenues in a foreign country. Indeed, it
was easy to conclude from their tone and temper on the occasion,
that they recognised but very little, if any right at all, in the
Irish prelates to interfere. Notwithstanding this unfavourable
reception, Dr. Higgins felt it a duty to persevere, and, after more
than two months, chiefly spent in counteracting the dangerous
intrigues of the descendants of Irish, in securing the neutrality
of certain jealous diplomatists, and creating a favourable dis-
position on the part of the Q-overnment, he succeeded, as he had
originally hoped, in inducing King Leopold to pursue a middle
course — that of allowing the revenues to be annually transmitted'
to Ireland.

Besides, it will be seen by the following letter from the
Minister, as also by the Royal Decree itself, in the framing of
which documents Dr. Higgins solicited and obtained leave to
take a part, that the question of selling the funds was still left
open, and thus the possibility of carrying it afterwards still.
remained.

Letter from the Minister of the Interior to Dr. Higgins : —

Bruxelles, le 27 Juin, 1833.
Monsieur L'Eveque,

Le Grouvernment ne pourra prendre une decision sur la
demands que vous lui avez adressee au nom de M. M. Les Arch-
eveques et Eveques d'Irlande avant d' avoir obtenu divers ren-
seignemens et documens qui lui sont indispensables pour former
son jugement. Dans I'intervalle, Monsieur L'Eveque, je croirai
pouvoir proposer au Roi d'autoriser le paiement des Bourses aux
ayant — droit pour f aire leurs etudes en Irlande, si cette disposi-
tion pent vous etre agreable et a Messieurs yos mandants.

Agriez, je vous prie, Monsieur L'Eveque, I'expression de
mes sentimens de haute consideration.

Pour Le Ministre de L'Interieur indispose,
Le Secretaire General,

B. DONETHIER.

A Monsieur Higgins, Eveque d'Ardagh, en Irlande, en ce
moment a I'hotel de la Couronne, rue de la Montagne, a
Bruxelles.

AND CLONMACNOISE, 173

Dr. Higgins' reply to tlie foregoing letter : —

Bruxelles, le 28 Juin, 1833.
IMonsieirr le Ministre,

Je viens de recevoir la lettre que vous m'avez fait I'honneur
de m'ecrire en date du 27 de ce mois, et par laquelle vous me
f aites ecavoir : — " Que Le Gouvernement ne pourra prendre \me
decision sur la demande que je lui ai adressee au nom de M. M.
Le Archeveques et Eveques d'Irlande, avant d'avoir obtenu
divers renseignemens et documens, qui lui sont indispensables
pour former son jugement ; mais, que dans I'intervalle, vous
croiriez pouvoir proposer au Roi d'autoriser le paiement des
Eourses, pour que les ay ant droit pussent faire leurs etudes en
Irlande."

Ayant une pleine confiance, Monsieur Le Ministre, dans la
justice et la bonne foi qui marquent tons les actes de votre
administration, et etant persuade, qu'en permettant pour le
moment, le transfer en Irlande des recettes disponibles, et dont
les vrais ayant-droit ont ete si longtemps prives, vous aurez
aussi egard aux justes demandes que les Arcbeveques et Eveques
d'Irlande pourront vous adresser dans la, suite au sujet de la
vente des fonds, j'accepte avec reconnoisance en leur nom, et
celui des autres personnes interessees, la mesure dont il s'agit.

J'ai I'bonneur d'etre, Monsieur Le Ministre,

Avec le plus profond respect,

Yotre tres bumble et tres obeissant serviteur,

GuiLLAUME Higgins,

Eveque d'Ardagb.
A Monsieur,

Monsieur Le Ministre de L'lnterieur,

&c., &c.

A Bruxelles.

Letter from Dr. Higgins to tbe Minister of tbe Interior,
proposing tbe Catbolic Arcbbisbop of Dublin as a fit person to
be appointed Receiver- General of tbe sums to be annually for-
warded from Belgium : —

Bruxelles, 28 Juin, 1833.
Monsieur Le Ministre,

En vertu des pouvoirs iUimites qui m'ont ete accordes par
les Arcbeveques et Eveques d'Irlande ainsi que par les autres

174 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

personnes interesees aux fondations faites en Belgique en faveur
d'etudians Irlandais je designe par ces presentes, Monseigneur
L'Archeveque Catholique de Dublin comme pleinement autorise
par les dits Archeveques et Eveques, a I'efEet de recevoir les.
recettes et revenus des dites fondations, pour etre employes eni
Irlande selon Tintention des fondateurs.

J'ai rhonneur d'etre, Monsieur Le Ministre,

Votres tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur,

GUILLAUME HiGGINS,

Eveque d'Ardagb.
A Monsieur,

Monsieur Le Ministre de L'lnterieur,

&c., &c ,

A Bruxelles.

Letter from tbe Minister of tbe Interior to Dr. Higgins,
enclosing an authentic copy of the Eoyal Decree : —

Bruxelles, le 9 Juillet, 1833.

Monsieur L'Eveque,

J'ai I'honneur de vous adresser ci-jointe, une expedition,
d'un Arrete Royal du 8 de ce mois, par lequel les jeunes Irlan-
dais, ayant droit a des Bourses d' etudes creees en Belgique en
leur faveur, pourront desormais en jouir dans leur propre pays.
Les revenus de ces Bourses seront annuellement remis par
les Administrateurs-Receveurs de ces fondations eL Monsieur
L'Archeveque Catholique de Dublin, pour les employer, de con-
cert avec Messieurs les autres Archeveques et Eveques Catho-
liques d'Irlande, conformement a la Yolonte des fondateurs,
r expression Agreez, Monsieur I'Eveque, de mes sentimens de-
haute consideration.

Pour le Ministre de l'lnterieur indispose,
Le Secretaire General,

B. DONETHIER.

A Monsieur G. Higgins, Eveque d'Ardagh, en Irlande, en ce
moment, a I'hotel de la Couronne, a Bruxelles.

AND CLONMACNOrSE. 175»

EoYAL Decree.

Leopold Roi des Belges,

A tons presens et a venir salut.

Vu la demande f aite au nom de Messieurs Les Archeveques
et Eveques d'Irlande, par leur Mandataire, Monsieur Gr. Higgins,
Eveque d'Ardagh, tendante a etre autorises a faire vendre les
biens affectes aux fondations de Bourses d'etudes, cr^ees en
Belgique en faveur d'lrlandais, et a en transporter le prix en
Irlande pour y reconstituer ces fondations.

Yu le avis de MM. Les Patrons et Proviseurs de ces fonda-
tions de la Pegence de la ville de Louvain, et de la Deputation
des Etats du Brabant.

Vu L'Arrete du 26 Decembre, 1818 (Journal Officiel, No.
48), et L'Arrete reglementaire du 2 Decembre, 1823 (Journal
Officiel, No. 49). Considerant que les fondations dont il s'agit,
ont ete etablies en Belgique, dans un temps ou I'enseignement de
la Tbeologie Catbolique etait defendu en Irlande ; considerant
que cet enseignement y est aujourdhui permis ; que les Colleges
ou etaient autrefois re9U8 les Boursiers Irlandais en Belgique,
ont cesse d'exister et que, d'autre part, les revenus des Bourses
sont diminues, et devenus insuffisans pour pourvoir aux frais
d'entretien et d'etudes des titulaires ; considerant que, si les
Fondateurs existaient encore aujourdbui, ils autoriseraient, sans
doute, les Irlandais a jouir dans leur pays du benefice de ces.
fondations. Nous avons arrete et arretons.

Art. ler.

Les Irlandais ayant d'apres la volonte des fondateurs, droit
a des Bourses creees en Belgique, pourront obtenir ces Bourses,
pour etudier et en jouir dans leur propre pays.

Art. 2.

Les Administrateurs-Peceveurs de ces fondations remettront
annuellement a L'Arcbeveque Catbolique de Dublin le revenu
net des Bourses appartenant a des Irlandais, pour etre employe
par lui et les autres Arcbeveques et Eveques Catboliques, con-
formement aux dispositions des fondateurs.

176 DIOCESE or ARDAGH

Art. 3.

Notre Ministre de L'Interieur est charge de I'executioii du
present Arrete.

Donne a Bruxelles le 8 Juillet, 1833.

(Signe,) Leopold.
Par le Roi,

Le Ministre de L'Interieur,

(Signe,) Ch. Rogiek.
Pour copie conf orme,

Le Secretaire G-eneral du Ministre de L'Interieur,

B. DONETHIER.

3IINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE
COMMISSIONERS OF EDUCATION INQUIRY, AT
THEIR OFFICE, DUBLIN.

Appendix, No. 35, p. 265 (Education Report, 1827).
Examination of tlie Reverend William Higgins, D.D.
Monday, 30tli October, 1826.

WiU you have the goodness to state what length of time
you have held the chair of Dogmatic Theology at Maynooth ? —
I was appointed to that chair about the middle of last month.

Previously to that, had you any situation connected with
the College of Maynooth ? — Not immediately before coming to
the CoUege.

What is the amount of your salary? — I have been told
that my predecessor received £120 Irish, yearly, and I presume
that I shall be allowed an equal sum ; I am not certain, how
ever, whether my salary will be increased or diminished.

In other circimistances are you in the same situation as the
rest of the professors, as to living and lodgiag ? — I am.

Where were you educated? — I was educated partly in France
and partly in Italy.

In what college in France were you educated ? — I spent part
of my time in a French seminary, and the remainder in the
Irish College at Paris.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, 177

In what part of Italy was a portion of your education re-
ceived ? — In Rome.

Is there any institution in Rome for the purpose of educating-
Irish students ? — There was none in my time, except some con-
vents where Friars were educated.

"Where were you yourself ? — I lived in an Italian College
during my time in Rome.

"Were there many students at it ? — Not very many ; I should
think there were not more than twenty-five.

Were the twenty-five persons who were in it all educated for
the priesthood ? — Not all ; some of them received merely a secu-
lar education and afterwards embraced whatever state they
thought proper ; indeed, properly speaking, I was not educated
in that college. I was only a lodger, and went to the Roman
University for my lectures.

How many years were you abroad ? — I cannot exactly say ; I
think I was nearly eight years in France, and nearly five in Italy.

"What portion of your education did you receive before you
left Ireland ? — I studied Latin and Greek, and the ordinary
things that are studied before entering college.

In what school ? — I was at different schools ; I was at
one conducted by a Protestant clergyman, and I was in other
schools afterwards.

"Where was the school under the direction of the Protestant
clergyman? — At a place called Drumsna, in the county of
Leitrim.

Were you recommended by any Bishop in the Roman
Catholic Church in Ireland to receive an education for the
priesthood, or was it voluntary on your part ? — It was perfectly
voluntary on my part.

Were you under any assurance that you should obtain ordi-
nation ? — There was no such promise held out to me ; I depended
on my good conduct for promotion.

Did you always intend to return to Ireland during the time you
were in France and in Italy ? — At all times I had that intention.

Will 3'ou describe, as nearly as you can, the expense of your
foreign education, and state also what portion of it was defrayed
by any burses, or any exhibitions in colleges at which you
were ? — I cannot exactly say how much I spent ; but I am able
to state that I never studied on a burse, nor received from others
any pecuniary assistance whatever for my education, it was all
at my own expense, and I should think, abstracting my travel-
ling expenses, my yearly expenditure never exceeded £40 ; but,
besides that, I spent considerable sums in travelling through
France, Italy, Germany, and other places.

We conclude from that answer that a person could be edu-

13

178 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

cated at MajTiooth for mucli less than such an education as
yours would cost ? — I do not give that answer as a means of com-
paring the expenses of Maynooth with those of France or Italy.

Pray state whether the doctrines taught in the colleges in
which you were, with regard to the Roman Catholic religion,
differedat all from each other, and whether they diiferedmaterially
from the doctrine taught at Maynooth ? — I never found them to
differ on anything essential from each other, nor to differ in
anything essential from the doctrine taught in Majmooth.

In what college in France were you ? — I lived in a French
College for some time and afterwards in the Irish College.

Were the doctrines which were taught and maintained in the
colleges in France in which you were, with respect to the question,
whether the Pope has any right to interfere, directly or indirectly,
in matters of a civil or temporal nature, precisely the same as
those taught at Maynooth ? — I have never had an opportunity of
strictly ascertaining what they teach at Maynooth, unless by
conversing with the professors ; but if I am to judge by that
conversation they were precisely the same.

You have not been many weeks at Maynooth ?— Not many.

You are aware of the distinction between the cisalpine and
the transalpine doctrine ? — Yes.

Is the cisalpine doctrine maintained at Maynooth in like
manner as it is in France ? — As far as I can ascertain from the
conversations just mentioned it is.

Could that have been the case at the coUege in which you
were at Rome ? — I studied in the University at Rome ; all
I can say with respect to those doctrines is, that I was as much
at liberty to discuss them freely at Rome as I could be at May-
nooth, or in France ; . because, as they do not form any part
of our faith, we treat them as mere opinions, and as opinions,
they were perfectly open to discussion. I do not mean to say,
however, that any professor taught the Galilean doctrine in
Rome ; but those of the University gave an exposition of the
arguments, ]iro and contra, leaving the students to determine for
themselves.

Are you speaking now of the doctrine as to the Pope's infal-
libility— speaking separately from the Council ? — I allude to the
four articles decreed by the French clergy in 1682.

Is it maintained at Rome that the Pope has civil or tem-
poral power out of his own States ? — I never heard it main-
tained.

Did you ever hear it put as a matter of argument ? — I did
hear it put as arguable and I argued on the question myself, for
the purpose of proving that his Holiness possesses no such power,
nor have I heard such authority ascribed to him by any professor

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 179

of theology. It might have been quoted as the doctrine of some
few divines of former ages ; but I do not recollect to have heard it
maintained by any of the present professors of the Roman Uni-
versity.

"Was the contrary doctrine taught ? — I did not hear the con-
trary doctrine taught ; I heard the argimients exposed.

You heard the arguments in favour of the civil and tem-
poral power of the Pope exposed ? — Yes.

As erroneous ? — I cannot precisely recollect what the deci-
sion of the professor was, but I can state that he did not require
any student to believe either the one side or the other.

Will you state what was your own opinion ? — As to the
doctrine of the temporal power of the Pope, my own opinion
was, that it was perfectly erroneous and almost absurd ; and I
can add, also, that such was the opinion, as far as I could ascer-
tain of all the students in the University, without any ex-
ception.

Were there any other Irish students in the college in which
you were? — When I went there, there was none but myself,
afterwards one or two more were admitted.

How long had you been returned to Ireland before you were
elected to the chair you now fill ? — I was in Ireland about two
months before I was appointed.

Were you five years in the University of Rome ? — I was
nearly five years in the city, but I did not study five years in
the University. I studied only three. I had already finished
my studies on going there, and I went chiefly for the purpose
■of taking the degree of Doctor of Divinity, which I obtained
after three years' attendance.

Were there any other candidates for the professorship of
Dogmatic Theology when you obtained it ? — There was only
another candidate who came forward, but I was appointed by
concursus, which lasted four or five days, for the purpose of
ascertaining our relative fitness for the situation.

Your appointment you consider as in the nature of an elec-
tion, and not in consequence of any particular recommendation
given ? — I dare say I was recommended by my own Bishop,
and, I presume, there was nothing objectionable against me.

Will you state the way in which your election took place
by a concursus? — When the chair I now fiU became vacant,
there was public notice given, that any person who wished to
concur for that situation might come forward and stand a con-
cursus ; that is a competition with any other candidates who
might offer themselves ; no person came forward but one other,
and the Trustees, who were constantly present during our
«different examinations, were pleased to decide in my favour.

180 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Had you made any previous applications to the Trustees indi-
vidually for their favour — did anything in the nature of a
canvass take place ? — I was advised by some friends to come
forward for this place, and having consented, it became necessarj^
to give ofl&cial notice to the President, which I did ; but I never
solicited the support of any individual to secure my success.

"Was there on your part any previous examination as to the
subjects on which you were to lecture ; did you understand
yourself bound to lecture according to the book that is estab-
lished at Maynooth, and the particular doctrines in that ? — I
had examined closely one or two of the treatises, and looked ia
a cursory way over the others, and I willingly adopt the prin-
ciples of those books.

"When did jou begin to lecture to your class ? — About a
month ago.

Of what number does your class consist? — In my class-
there are nearly 200.

Your lectures are on Dogmatic Theology ? — Yes.
You have studied Moral Theology, of course, extensively
during your residence in Paris and in Pome ? — I cannot speak
as to the extent of my knowledge in that science, but I have
studied it for a considerable time.

"Will you state at what point you began in lecturing in your
class ; did you commence as the book begins, or did you take
up any particular subject ? — I began with the Treatise on
Religion, and I followed the order of the book in that treatise.
"Were you examined on Dogmatic Theology during the con-
cursus ? — I was.

In the course of your examination did you maintain those-
principles with respect to the civil or temporal power of the
Pope, that are maintained in Dr. Delahoque's Treatise ? — During
the examination those questions were not treated ; the subjects
discussed were taken by chance from the whole body of Theo-
logy, and those questions did not happen to come out.

"Were you aware that you were obliged to assert those prin-
ciples upon oath, by taking the oath of allegiance, consequent
upon your appointment ? — I was perfectly aware that I was to
assert, on oath, that the Pope had no temporal power, either
direct or indirect, within this realm.

Have you read Dr. Delahoque's Treatise, De Ecclesia ? — I
have read his Treatise De Ecclesia, and on Religion.

The Commissioners do not mean to ask you whether you
approve of every word of argument that may be found in it ; but
do you subscribe to the principles laid down in that book with
respect to the civil and temporal power of the Pope ? — I do most
willingly subscribe to those principles.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 181

Do you also subscribe to the principle, that it is no article of
the Catholic faith that the Pope is infallible ? — I do ; because it
is the truth that it is no article of the Catholic faith.*

The question, whether or not the Pope has the gift of infal-
libility, is a mooted question in the Roman Catholic Church ? —
Yes; it is a question left perfectly free for professors and
students to discuss as they may think proper.

A man may either adopt the opinion that the Pope is infallible,
or may reject the ojDinion that the Pope is infallible, continuing
in the communion of the Catholic Church ? — Perfectly so.

Do you understand that those who adopt the opinion that
the Pope is infallible, mean that he is infallible in propound-
ing articles of faith to be believed and held by the Catholic
Church ? — With respect to that question, there is a discrepancy
of opinion. Some maintain that he is infallible only when he
propounds a doctrine to be believed by the general Church ;
others think that even in Bulls, for regulating the discipline of
particular countries, he is infallible ; but I believe the number
of those who hold that opinion is much fewer than those on
Tthe other side.

Do any such persons deem that he must be considered infal-
lible in issuing Bulls for the regulating of churches which
m.ight interfere with the civil rights of sovereigns ? — If there
be question of mere discipline, and that the Bull issued hap-
pened to come in collision with the temporal rights of a sove-
reign, I have no doubt that the Pope would revoke it, of his
own accord ; and I am convinced that his Holiness would never
issue such a document, unless through ignorance of the fact.

Supposing that the Pope were not to revoke it, would the
IBull be considered as binding in that particular country to
which it was issued ? — If the Bull clash with the temporal
rights or interests of a sovereign, I must deny the hypothesis
that the Pope would insist on it. I cannot admit the sup-
position.

Supposing that the Pope was neither to insist upon it, nor
to revoke it, but simply to leave it, having issued it, would it
be considered as binding ? — That hypothesis can hardly be
admitted, because if it infringed on the rights of a sovereign,
he would naturally apply to the Pope to have it revoked.

Put the case of such a Bull having been issued, as a matter
of fact, and that the sovereign does not reclaim against it, nor
the Pope revoke it, would it, in that case, have a binding obH-
,gation or not ? — If the Pope issued a Bull which infringed upon
the rights of the sovereign, and that he thought proper to yield

* The papal infallibility had not been defined as an article of faith at
that time.

182 DIOCESE or ARDAGH.

to the Pope, no injury would be done ; and, in that case, it
would be binding ; because, when accepted by the sovereign, it
forms part of the law of his dominion.

The question supposes the sovereign to do nothing, perhaps-
owing to never having heard of the Bull ; in that case, would
the Bull be binding in that particular country or not ? — I must
repeat that I cannot conceive any Bull to be issued which would
not come to the knowledge of the sovereign ; because, most
certainly, if a Bull be issued by the Pope which would clash
with the rights of a sovereign, it cannot be supposed that he
would not be made acquainted with its contents, either by his
magistrates or ministers.

Have not the sovereigns of most of the Catholic States of
Europe deemed it necessary to guard against the possibility of
such Bulls being issued, by requiring that all Bulls from the Pope,,
except those that merely regard the conscience of individuals,
should be submitted to the public authorities of the country ? — '■
I believe it is the case. I know it is so in France and Austria.
When I was in Yienna, I made it my business to inquire of
some of the professors of the University, and I found their
principles, with respect to the Four Articles of France, to be in
accordance with those of French divines, that is, that they most
ardently support the doctrine of those Articles.

Supposing the Pope were to issue a Bull to this country,
which should undertake to depose his Majesty, and to absolve
his subjects from their allegiance, and should command them
to join with any Foreign Power in attacking the Government
of this coimtry, or should enjoin them to resist the temporal
authority of his Majesty, would you consider it the duty of Roman
Catholics to resist such a Bull ? — We implicitly swear, by our
oath of allegiance, to resist such Bulls ; that is, we swear the
Pope has no such right, and of course if he were to act upon a
right which we swear he has not, it would be our duty to
oppose it ; but I must add, that I cannot admit the hypothesis
in the present state of things, for the Pope will certainly never
issue such a Bull.

Supposing a Bull of the Pope should declare that it was for
the good of the Church, or of the Faith, that the Roman Catholic
subjects of his Majesty should rebel against him, would you
think that the Roman Catholics ought to do so ? — It would be
no matter what was the motive urged by a Bull, importing that
we were to rebel against his Majesty, we never should feel our-
selves authorised to obej it ; because we should then conclude
that the Pope was wrong, and that we were right.

Have you ever heard it taught or insinuated by any class of
Roman Catholics in this country that the Pope might absolve.

MINUTES OF EVIUEMCE. 183

them from their oath of allegiance to the king ? — I never heard
that matter discussed that I did not hear it concluded by all
parties that the Pope had no such power.

Are you acquainted with many of the Roman Catholic
clergy in Ireland ? — I am with some, particularly those of my
own diocese, and with some of the Bishops.

Which was your diocese ? — Ardagh.

Who is the Bishop of that diocese ? — Dr. Magauran.

Have you ever heard it maintained or insinuated amongst
any of the Roman Catholic clergy in this coimtry, that the
Pope had any right to interfere in temporal or civil matters ? —
I never heard that the Pope had any right, as Head of the
Cliurch, to interfere in civil or temporal matters ; but I do not
recollect to have heard that, as monarch, he might not offer
mediation in those countries where his interference in that
respect might be acceptable.

So far as your information goes, do you believe that to be
the principle inculcated in the course of education at May-
nooth ? — I firmly believe it to be such, and I even think that
they are more anxious to inculcate that principle than any
college, perhaps, that I have ever seen.

Will you have the goodness to read and translate a part of
Dr. Delahoque's Tract de Ecclesia, p. 209, which is headed
thus : " Circa decreta Conciliorum Generalium de Fide " ? —
The passage referred to is as follows : " Argumentum istud
exordiemur his Bossuetii verbis. Non decent Catholici, quae-
curaque gesta sunt in Conciliis, ea ad Ecclesiae fidem pertinere,
sed eo loco habenda sunt tantum ilia quae decreto edito fidelibus
omnibus credenda et tenenda proponuntur. Quod et Melchior
Canus passim docet et Catholici omnes uno ore fatentur.
Cujus rei ratio est quod id sufficiat ut verba Christi iirma sint
de aeterna ecclesiasticorum dogmatum firmitate. Nee proiude
labat fides si quae extra fidem baud pari auctoritate consistunt.
Atque certum omnino est multa in conciliis, sine expressa, deli-
beratione ac determinatione esse dicta gestaque quibus adstrlngi
se Catholici omnes uno ore negant. Multa etiam sunt decreta
quae non pertinent ad invariabilem fidei regulam, sed sunt
accomodata temporibus atque negotiis." Translation : — We
shall commence this argument with the following words of
Bossuet, etc.

Do you consider the principle there stated, that that only is
to be held as matter of faith which is propounded to all the
faithful as matter which is to be believed and held as Catholic
faith ? — I conceive that nothing can form an article of our faith
which is not revealed by God, and afterwards proposed to our
belief by the Church ; because we consider divine Revelation

184 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

the foundation of our faitli, and tlie Church the only sufficient
expounder of the different articles contained in the Revealed
Word of God.

Which Revelation, according to the Catholic doctrine, may-
he known either by the written Word or by the Apostolic Tra-
dition ? — Either by the written Word or by Tradition.

Suppose a Council were to make a law ordaining that the
Pope should depose the king, or should depose any heretical
prince, as one of the Councils of Lateran ordained that the Pope
should depose the princes who favoured the Albigensian heresy,
would you consider such a decree or decision or law as pro-
pounding an article of faith, or only as coming within the pria-
ciple laid down by Bossuet in the words : " Multa etiam sunt
decreta, etc." ? — As God has given to His Church no power what-
ever of interfering in the temporal concerns of princes, and as
Catholics hold that a General Council, which represents that
Church, is infallible, I cannot admit that any such assembly
would decree that princes should be deposed.

Do you understand that those Councils which decreed that
heretical princes should be deposed were speaking by virtue of
authority enjoyed by them as representing the civil and eccle-
siastical States of Europe, and ordaining matters of prudence
merely, or as Councils representing the whole Church, and pro-
pounding articles of faith ? — I consider, i£ ever the fact of any
such decree took place, it emanated, not from an assembly
representing the Universal Church congregated to decide on
matters of faith, but that it must have proceeded from a mixed
authority — that is, from persons in that Council holding as well
temporal as ecclesiastical power.

Has it not been made a matter of question by writers of con-
siderable eminence, whether the decree of the Fourth Cotmcil
of Lateran, which is considered as directing depositions in certain
cases, be or not spurious ? — Some historians consider that the
canon in which that authority seems to be inserted and assumed
is spurious, because, I believe, they consider that for some hundred
years after the Council, no such canon was found.*

* Subsequently added by witness : — Many eminent writers doubt of the
authenticity of this canon, as the writers of that age assert that nothing was
seriously discussed in the Council except the means of recovering the Holy
Lands. We find this account of the transactions of that assembly in the writings
of Matthew Paris, Naucleries Platina, and other authors of much eminence.
But gi-anting that the canon referred to is really authentic, it cannot be inferred
that the Church assumed the right of absolving subjects from their allegiance, or
of disposing of property, as the words of the Canon might give reason to sup-
pose ; because that Council was composed of princes and temporal lords as well
as bishops, and, consequently, they might enact penalties against the Albi-
genses, who, according to all historians, committed most enormous excesses,
and disturbed the peace of the State as well as that of the Church.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 185

In tlie Tliird Council of Lateran, is it not understood that,
amongst the punishments decreed against the Albigeiises, this
was determined : " Illoriun subditi et yassali relaxatos se nove-
rint a debito fidehtatis dominii et totius obsequii donee in tanta
iniquitate permanserint" ? — In the Council just mentioned, it
would seem to have been decreed that, if the Albigenses perse-
vered in their iniquitous practices, their vassals were to be
absolved from their allegiance ; but, as that assembly was as
much a congress of princes and lords as an ecclesiastical Council,
it is but fair to admit that its decrees were kno-v^Ti to its lay-
members as well as to the bishops ; and as the former have
never reclaimed against their publication, we must conclude
that they themselves concurred in framing them. This being
once admitted, it will naturally follow that the canons alluded
to ought to be considered as the civil laws of the State rather
than those of the Church. But, if it be supposed that a Coimcil
or Pope, or any authority whatever, assumed the right of ab-
solving subjects from their allegiance to their sovereign, I would
disregard their decision, and consider the subjects by no means
freed from their obligations of fidelity. Not only would I
•despise and disregard such a decree, but, if a subject of the
sovereign in question, I would consider it my religious duty to
openly resist it, and advise such of the people as might be com-
mitted to my care to remain unshaken in their allegiance. I
•cannot, however, admit the necessity of ever reducing this doc-
trine to practice, being fully convinced that the Church wiR
never assume such a right.

Will 3'ou not consider it your duty, as Professor of Dogmatic
Theology in Maj^nooth, sincerely and ex animo to impress that
principle? — When I shall have occasion to treat that subject, I am
resolved to inculcate the substance of the answer I have just
given, because I consider it to be founded on truth ; and I shall
•endeavour, when I have an opportunity of doing so, to impress
those sentiments on the minds of my pupils.

Do you, therefore, hold that those canons in no degree bind
Koman Catholics at the present day ? — I hold that those canons
•do not bind the Catholics of the present day, either directly or
indirectly.

You consider that they were statutes deriving force from
the authority of the civil and ecclesiastical powers of Europe
applied to the then existing state of things ? — Yes.

And not applicable to the present state of Europe or the
world ? — By no means.

You are aware, perhaps, that Boniface pronounced a sentence
of deposition against Philip the Fair ; do you understand that
Pope Boniface, in doing so, acted by virtue of the authority which

186 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

he derived from temporal power, or by virtue of any authority he-
possessed de jure divino, as Head of the Church and Yicar of
Christ upon earth, which Roman Catholics hold him to be ? — I
conceive, first, that if he assumed any such authority /iO'e divino,.
he assumed it wrongly : and, secondly, I think it probable that,
whatever authority he exercised, he did not exercise it jure
divino, but by virtue of a kind of accessorial power given to him,
perhaps, bj' the sovereigns of Europe. Besides, Pope Boniface,
after using many arguments to show that he possessed the
power of disposing of kingdoms and of deposing princes, when he
comes to a decision, does not decree that he is vested with his
authority jure divino ; he only says : " Porro subesse Romano
Pontifici omnem creaturam declaramus, dicimus et pronunciamus
esse omnino de necessitate salutis." !N^ow, if these words be
understood in a spiritual sense, they must be admitted as orthodox
by every Catholic, as we hold that the Pope is the visible Head of
the Church, and, as such, superior in spiritual concerns to any of
its members.

Does not Bossuet state, in defending the Gallican declara-
tion, and denying the civil and temporal power of the Pope,
something to this effect : that although some Popes have imder-
taken to pronounce sentence of deposition, and though, into
Bulls of deposition, they have contrived to introduce general
passages partly referring to their spiritual power, to the power
of the keys, yet that no Pope distinctly and expressly ever
referred this power of deposition to the power which he derived
from Christ as Head of the Church? — The Popes who seem,
according to the words of the Bull issued by them, to have
assumed in a certain degree the power of deposing kings,
though they made use of strong langiiage, I believe they never
say in express words that they act jure divino in so much as
they are Popes ; and that answer may be confirmed by this
observation, that although many of the Popes might have ap-
peared anxious that the world should believe that they enjoyed
their authority, yet, in support of that pretension, they never
decreed anything as obliging people to believe it ; they merely
assumed it, and a matter of fact informs us that that assump-^
lion was afterwards contradicted, because reclamations were
made from all parts of the world to which those Bulls were
issued ; and it ought to be observed, that persons so reclaiming
never were deemed heretical; that, on the contrary, they enjoyed
communion with the Pope equally with others, which convinces
us that even the Pope never assumed this authority as forming
anything like a Divine right, or as taxing those persons with a
deficiency of faith who embraced the contrary opinion. I beg
leave, however, to add, that I do not mean to excuse the ambi-

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 187"

tion of some Popes ; I leaye that to themselves ; but I say it
will never be proved that even those ambitious Popes decreed',
this as a matter to be held by us as an article of faith.

You mean to say that they contrived to mix allusions tO'
their spiritual power with the exercise of a temporal power, so
that ignorant persons might perhaps refer the exercise of that
temporal power to spiritual authority, although they took care
not to propound the matter as a matter to be believed and held
by Christians as an article of faith ? — I do not mean to say that
the Popes made use of cautious expressions in order to meet the
objections of the ignorant alone. Their bulls were open to the
examination of all. But I conceive that their having studiously
avoided to decree or oblige the faithful to believe that they
possessed jure divino the right of deposing princes, proves that
they never dared to propose their opinions as the doctrine of
the Catholic Church, and for what they as individuals may have-
done they alone are accountable.

In the Bull "Unam Sanctam," issued by Boniface against
Philip the Fair, there is this passage — " Porro subesse Romano
Pontifici omnem humanam creaturam declaramus definimus et
pronuntiamus omnino esse de necessitate salutis." Is it not
observed upon that passage, in Dr. Delahogue's "Treatise de
Ecclesia," p. 264, that the Pope there takes care to say generally
that every human creature is subject to him, without specifying
in what manner, so that he might defend himself, if he were
charged with saying that every creature was subject to him in.
temporals, by asserting that he meant in spirituals ? — As to that
passage, I think it bears with it an answer in favour of the
doctrine already stated by me ; because I assert that no Pope
ever positively decreed that he had de jure divino the right of
deposing kings. JSTow, if the Pope were weak enough to have
recourse to a dubious phrase, at least that proves that he was
afraid to assert that right openly, and it proves, consequently,
that it was not his avowed doctrine, or the doctrine of the day.
But the passage referred to can be explained in a favourable
sense to the Pope ; he might have said that every human being
is subject to him, which the Catholics hold, if he talks of spiri-
tual things ; because, as we hold that the Pope is the centre of
Catholicity, and with whom all Christians ought to hold com-
munion, it is no wonder that he should say, in that sense, that
every human being must be subject to him.*

* Si;bsequently added by the witness :— In the passage just quoted, the
Pope does, undoubtedly, make use of an ambiguous expression, but whether
for the purpose of excusing himself, by referring one time to spiritualities, and
another time to temporalities, is both useless and impossible to determine.
Bossuet says that, in using this general language, he providentially abstained
Irom declaring a falsehood, which he would have done had he decreed that he

188 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Is it not the principle of the Roman Catholic Church that
the power which was communicated by God to His Son, our
Lord, as man, and which power, as He Himself told us, had not
relation to the " kingdoms of this world," the power, and the
only poM^er, which the Pope, as the Vicar of Christ, holds upon
earth ? — The Catholic doctrine with respect to the power which
the Pope enjoys upon earth we hold to be this : that Christ, in
giving their respective missions to the Apostles, instituted St.
Peter as their chief, and that to him He gave the power of
governing His Church. Catholics hold that the Pope is the
legitimate successor of St. Peter in this same power, and that,
consequently, as St. Peter enjoyed the prerogative of governing
the whole Church in spiritualities, so does the present Pope
enjoy the same prerogative ; but by no means do we hold that
any power which was conferred upon the Pope through the
channel of St. Peter, who was the first Pope, gives him a direct
or indirect power to interfere in temporal concerDS.

They hold that the Pope enjoys that species of prerogative
or jurisdiction in the Church which St. Peter possessed ? — Yes ;
with the exception of infallibility, which St. Peter received as one
•of the Apostles, and which it is not certain that the Pope enjoys.

Christ Himself assumed no power in matters of a civil or
temporal nature, and you, therefore, hold that He did not dele-
gate any such power to St. Peter or to the Pope ? — As our Divine
Saviour came upon earth to offer Himself a sacrifice to His
Eternal Father for the redemption of mankind, and not to confer
upon the Church which he was about to establish any temporal
power, and having instituted St. Peter and his lawful successors
the governors of this Church, which is exclusively of a spiritual
nature, we maintain that he never vested St. Peter or his suc-
cessors, the Popes, with any other than a spiritual authority,
which alone is sufficient to govern the faithful committed to
their guidance.

You are aware, of course, of the proceedings of the Council
of Constance with regard to John Huss r' — Yes.

And that the conclusion has been drawn from them, or the
imputation attempted through them to be fixed upon Poman
Catholics, that that Council held that it was lawful to break
faith with heretics ? — I have heard these conclusions drawn
sometimes.

Will you state whether you understand that that Council
maintains any such proposition ? — What I know from history

enjoyed jure divino any right whatsoever of deposing princes. I beg leave to
•observe, that Catholics of the present day are by no means accountable for
wliat may have happened several centuries ago, and if Popes have acted
wrongly, their misconduct is, and also has been, disapproved of by the Church.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 189'

concerning that Council is, that John Huss renewed in Germany
the errors of Wickliffe, which errors were, that persons who lost
grace — that is, persons who were not in a state of grace — no
longer belonged to the Church, and that whatever they did was-
in itself bad ; that consequently, when kings or sovereigns of
any kind were no longer in a state of grace, as being wicked,,
vicious, and bad men, according to his doctrine, subjects were no
longer bound to obey them. This doctrine naturally gave alarm_
to the Emperor Sigismund, who, in unison with the then existing
Pope, had the Council of Constance convened ; and, when the
Council was convened, that John Huss, who was already excom-
municated and already denounced as a heretic, appealed to that
Council. In appealing to the Council, he was afraid of some
parties in Germany which had been raised against him by his
doctrine, and, in order to avoid any violence that might be-
ofEered to him, he applied for a safeguard to come to the Council,
which ,was given to him, for the express purpose of arriving safe at
the Council. He did so ; and, in appealing to the Council, as I
apprehend, he oj)enly said that, if convinced of heresy at the
Council, he would abide the punishments that were to be inflicted
on heretics. It was decreed at the Council that he was a heretic,
and I am sure that was plain enough ; and, after, having thus
decreed, they left the rest to the secular power, saying : " We have
found this man guilty of heresy contrary to our faith ; we have
nothing more to do wdth him." Then as the doctrine which he
taught and which the Council qualified with the act of heresy, and
was not simply so, but also clashed with the temporal rights of
the Emperor, it appears that he was consigned to the magis-
trates of Constance, who thought proper to burn him ; that
these magistrates burned him for differing from us in doctrine
is by no means certain. It is generally thought that they
burned him as a rebel, and not as a heretic ; because, as he
taught that kings who got out of a state of grace had no longer
any claim upon the allegiance of their subjects, that alarmed
the kings of the different States, and, in order to put a stop to
the propagation of any such rebellious doctrine, they punished
him with death. I cannot allow that the Coimcil had anything
to do with the burning of John Huss. As it has been said also
that that Council would seem to authorise the doctrine that
Catholics were not obliged to keep faith with heretics, I must
deny the fact with respect to the Council, and I must assert that
it never taught such a doctrine ; and even though any Council —
I do not speak of canonical Councils — but if any assembly of
bishops were to teach such a doctrine, we would not be obliged
to abide by it.

Would you not consider such conduct a horrible offence

190 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

against tlie law of God ? — I cannot find language STifficiently
strong to express my horror for such conduct. I have already
.stated that all Catholics believe, and at all times believed and
taught, that it is contrary to both the natural and divine
law, to break faith with any man.

There is a passage in one of the decrees of the Council
which some people understand as favouring the notion that it
is la-^-ful to break faith with heretics; the passage is — "Nee
aliqua sibi fides de jure naturale, divino et hmnano fuerit in
pre judicium Catholicae fidei observanda;" are the Commis-
sioners to understand that that passage means only an engage-
ment entered into to the prejudice of the faith, as if a Christian
Protestant of this coimtry entered into an engagement with any
of the French Atheists, thirty years ago, to joiu with them in
endeavouring to subvert Christianity, that such an engagement,
being to the prejudice of the faith, would have been an unlawful
engagement, not because it was entered into by a person not of
the faith, but because it was in itself a sin ? — From the passage
referred to, it can only be deduced that the Council was of
opiuion that no temporal power which the Emperor or any
other person might possess could lawfully deprive the bishops
there assembled of the right of pronouncrug in matters of faith ;
and they assert that no contract entered into in prejudice of
Catholic faith is binding on the contracting parties, not because
they or any of them might happen to be heretics, but because
such a contract, having an illicit object, would be null and void
in its inception and from its own nature, as no contract or
promise can or ought to be a bond of iniquity.

Supposing a Roman Catholic were to enter into an engage-
ment with an infidel to overturn Christianity, as far as he
could, you would, of course, hold that such an engagement was
A^oid in its inception, not because a contract entered into with
an infidel was void, but because any contract to do an act in
itself immoral and unjust is void in its inception ? — I consider
that any such contract would be null and void for the reasons
already adduced, that is, not because it would be entered into
with an infidel, but as being sinful in its very essence ; it would
be more conformable to reason and religion to rescind than to
observe it.

Supposing, therefore, that the Emperor really meant to enter
into a contract ^dth John Huss that the Church should not be
allowed to pronounce upon the question of heresy, inasmuch as
the Church considered that she had a right so to do from God,
the Church would consider that such a contract was in its nature
void ? — !Most xmdoubtedly the Church would not exceed the
limits of her rights by pronouncing that such a contract was by

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 191

no means binding, but, on tbe contrary, to be considered as an
•abomination in the sigbt of God.

Supposing tbat the Emperor had entered into a contract
with John Huss that the Church should not declare that heresy
which really was heresy, would you not consider that that con-
tract was a void contract ? — If the Emj)eror had entered into
any such contract, he would have encroached upon the exclusive
rights of the Church, and, in that case, the Church would have
the power to pronounce that the contract was illicit and void.

Do you understand that the passage of the Council which
has been referred to means what you have stated last ? — I do.

Will you have the goodness to read from the Tract de
Ecclesia, p. 320, the passage beginning with "sacrosancta"? —
"" Sacrosancta S}Tiodus, etc. . . . quia non-nulli nimis intelli-
gentes aut sinistrae intentionis vel forsan volentes sapere plus
quam oportet nedum regiae magistati, etc. . . . et quod decuit
regiam magistatem." ( Vide Delahogue, Tr. de Ecclesia.)

Will you have the goodness to state in what sense you
understand that passage ? — After reading that passage, I have
nothing to change in the substance of my former answers,
l)ecause, as I have already stated, the Church claims the exclu-
isive right of judging in spiritual matters, and in exercising
that right she by no means interferes with the right she allows
in secular princes to judge in secular matters ; and, therefore,
in the same manner as the Council would not pretend to inter-
fere with the rights of the Emperor in any temporal concerns,
in like manner does it insinuate, in the words just quoted, that
the safe-conduct granted by the Emperor to John Huss could
not licitly interfere with the rights of the bishops, or prevent
them from judging and condemning the abominable doctrine of
that heresiarch ; I must add, that many critics doubt the
authenticity of this canon. It was not published for many
years after the Council had been held, nor is it found in any of
the first editions of the acts of that assembly.

You are aware that it is necessary to put the questions by
which you have been interrogated for the purpose of giving to
you, who hold so important an office in the College of May-
nooth, an opportunity of distinctly stating the Roman Catholic
faith upon the matter to which the question referred, and not
at all with the view of imputing to you the holding of any of
those doctrines which you disclaim upon oath, and from holding
which Eoman Catholics have been publicly acquitted even by
persons whose political opinions may be considered as opposed
to them? — I feel pleasure in answering any question that may
tend to make known the honest but sometimes misrepresented
principles of Catholics.

192 DIOCESE OF ARUAGH.

You have spoken of the Bull "Unam Sanctam"; do you:
consider that that Bull asserts the right of the Pope to interfere
in temporal as well as in spiritual matters ? — I repeat what I
have before mentioned in answering another question regarding-
that Bull, that though the Pope might seem to assert that he
enjoyed jure clivino the right in question, still he never defined
or solemnly decreed anything to that effect.

We are now going to suggest a passage to you from that
Bull for the purpose of your considering it at your leisure, and
after such consideration giving an answer to the preceding ques-
tion. The passage, as they conceive it to stand, is this : " Cer-
tainly he who denies that the temporal sword is in the power of
Peter but ill attends to the word of our Lord, when He said,.
* Put up thy sword into the sheath ; ' therefore both (to wit,
the spiritual and material sword) are in the power of the Church ;
but the latter is to be used for the Church, the former by the-
Church ; the former by the instrumentaKty of the priests, the
latter by that of kings and soldiers, but according to the order
and sufferance of the priest ; but one sword should be subjected to-
another, and the temporal authority to the spiritual power?" —
The words referred to, if understood in a spiritual sense, will
by no means prove that the Pope assumed the right jure divino
of interfering with temporalities ; for it is perfectly true that
in spiritual matters the material sword ought to be subject to-
the spiritual sword ; that is, it never should defend any cause
opposed to the law of God, of which law the Church, and the
Pope as Head of that Church, has the right of judging. But
if Pope Boniface, in the Bull "Unam Sanctam," did really
assume jure divino the right of interfering in the temporalities
of princes, we hold that he erred, and for that error he alone is-
answerable.*

Could you put the Commissioners in the way of procuring a
view of the Bull "Unam Sanctam?" It is found in a work
called the " BuUarium Pomanum;" but probably the work does
not exist in this country.

Have you ever seen that work ? I have seen it, but have
not read it all, as it consists of nearly lOO vols, in folio.

* The Pope has the right, y« re divino, to intei'fere in mixed questions, i.e.,
questions partly spiritual, and partly temporal. In asserting so much the
Pope would assert the truth, and he has asserted it in the Bull referred to,
iu language perhaps too vague and general, but certainly not erroneous.

Dr. O'Higgms must have understood the word "temporalities" to signify
things PURELY and exclusively temporal, having no spiritual or moral aspect ;
of which there are very few. Of such the Pope did 7iot spea.k, could not
speak, and therefore did not err. The hypothesis of the Pope teaching error
in so solemn a document is impossible, and as such should not be answered
at all.

^ John Healt,
Coadjutor-Bishojj of Clonfert..

MINUTES OF EVIDEXCE. 193

The Bulls which it contains must be extremely numerous?
It contains all the authentic Bulls of the several Popes.

Published by the authority of the Holy See ? I cannot say
by what authority it is published, but I know it exists in the
public libraries of Rome.

The Commissioners then understand that the question about
the Bull *' Unam Sanctam " stands over for an answer until a
reference shall be had to the text of the Bull itself ? Inde-
pendently of a reference to the Bull, and without meaning what
I now offer as my ultimate answer and explanation, I think that
when he says that both the temporal and spiritual swords are in
the power of the Pope, that he means certainly, first, that the
spiritual sword is so in a direct sense, as the Pope has the power
of expounding the Word of God, and determining matters of
faith and governing the Church ; and that in an indirect manner
also the temporal sword ought to be in the power of St. Peter ;
for example, if a sovereign were about to make war, and he had
any qualms of conscience about the war, whether it was just or
not, and if he had thought proper to apply to the Pope, and put
him in full possession of the circumstances that led him to make
that war, if, then, the Pope considered that he had not sufficient
grounds for making war, and that he would commit an act of
injustice in making that war, the Pope would be authorised to
give him an advice not to do it ; but that would not be by the
Pope interfering directly in temporal concerns, it would be
merely acceding to the application that might be made to the
Pope. Though I do not give that as my answer upon the
subject, even that would be enough to explain the difficulty,
because in such a case the temporal sword would in no degree be
subject to the spiritual one, inasmuch as the advice of the
Church might sway the intentions of any temporal prince.

Was not the Bull " Unam Sanctam " issued, not in answer
to any advice sought for by the French king, but in collision
with his interest and against his will ? I did not mean the
answer I have just given as my ultimate answer, but I said that
even that answer might suffice.

Were we to understand you as meaning by a former answer
that you conceive that it is now morally impossible for the
Pope to issue Bulls conflicting in any manner with the temporal
rights of princes ? I consider that in the present state of things
the Popes will not knowingly issue any Bulls to infringe on the
temporal rights of princes.

Since that period do you consider that that change, if it be a
change, in the practice of the Popes has arisen ; the question
assumes that a time has existed in which Popes did feel at
liberty knowingly to issue Bulls that did conflict with the tem-

14

194 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

poral rights of princes ? I consider that, for a long time, no
Pope had assumed any authority that would infringe upon the
temporal rights of sovereigns.

The question is, what is your conception as to the length of
that time of which you speak in your last answer ; is it haK a
century, or one century, or five, or what other length of time ?
Granting that at any period Popes assumed that power, at least
for several years they have put forth no such pretensions.

We wish to know what is your general impression upon the
subject ; we do not seek to fix you to any limited time ; do you
conceive that within the last century that right has been assumed?
Being on oath, I feel unwilling to mention any precise number
of years.

You have spoken of the Lateran Councils, to which it has
been imputed that they assumed the right of deposing monarchs
under certain circumstances ; do you not conceive that these
decrees, whatever they may have been, expressed the principle
of the Roman Catholic Church at the time the decrees were
made, that is, the principle that in a possible case a Council,
however constituted, might depose a king ? I consider that the
Councils referred to, by no means expressed the principle that
any Council had the power from God of deposing a king.

Are we misinformed or in error in supposing that in the 27th
capt. of the Third Council of Lateran there is the following
passage : — " That all those who are in any way bound to heretics
should consider themselves absolved from all allegiance or
obedience due to them as long as they persist in their iniquity ?"
I have observed in a former answer that the enactments of that
Council, inasmuch as they regard heretics, are to be considered
as parliamentary decrees emanating from princes or temporal
lords, who, in unison with the bishops, decreed temporal punish-
ments against the Albigenses, the Valdenses, and other heretics,
who not only erred in matters of religion, but also committed
excessive cruelties on those who rejected their principles. As
the accuracy of this statement can be ascertained by consulting
authentic history, I see no reason for concluding that the Council
assumed any right of interfering in temporalities.

Will you point out what you consider to be an authentic text
of the canon of the Third Lateran Council, also the Fourth
Lateran Council, also the Council of Constance, to which you
have referred respecting John Huss. The Commissioners have
received from the Library of Maynooth a book entitled " Binnii
Concilia, "in four very large vols., and they presume that the canons
of those Councils will be found in those vols. ? I understand
that some of the canons referred to are not found in the vols,
just mentioned.

WIXDTES OF EVIDENCE. 195

Can you state the name of any author who is considered by
Ptoman Catholic authorities to have stated the texts of the canons
of the councils correctly ? Bini, or Binus, has given an edition
of the councils in four vols., in folio ; Richard has given an
analysis of them in five vols., quarto ; Harduin has also given a
collection, consisting of twelve vols., in folio ; but I believe that
the most esteemed collection of the Councils is that pubKshed by
J^abbe, in seventeen vols., folio.

"Were we to collect from a former answer which you gave,
that it is your opinion that the things handed down by tradi-
tion in the Roman Catholic Church were originally revealed by
God ? Undoubtedly.

All matters comprised in the traditions of the Church ? I
mean to say that any tradition on which we found an article of
faith must have had its origin in divine revelation ; for example,
that children recently born may be baptized, we hold by Tradition,
not by Scripture ; and we hold that the truth has been handed
down to us, because it was revealed to the primitive Christians.

Could you furnish the Commissioners with any definition as
to the power of the Pope in spiritual and temporal concerns,
such as they could apply to any case that might arise of doubt
as to which class any particular subject matter might belong ?
I think that it is a fair statement to say that the Pope has re-
ceived from God, as Head oi the Church, the power of governing
that Church in spiritualities, and I am sure that this notion, well
established, would direct any Catholic, or any public person, as
to the application of the Pope's particular decrees ; for, if we find
that a Pope issue a decree which would seem to go beyond that
general right which he received of governing the Church, we
should conclude that he exceeded the bounds of the authority
given to him by God.

Do you not conceive that an occasion may arise in which it
might become matter of grave and serious doubt whether the
case referred to spiritualities or temporalities ? Will the Com-
missioners have the goodness to put such a case ?

Particular cases may be put hereafter ; the question at
present is, whether jou can suggest any general rule ? If it is
meant to ask whether it is possible in the nature of things that
the Pope in his particular mandates should clash with the
temporal rights of a sovereign, I think the answer has been
sufficiently given on a former occasion, but if it is meant other-
wise, I do not understand what is meant.

The question is whether any general rule can be laid down,
any principle suggested, amy' test, any criterion by which it
might be decided whether the subject matter of a Bull relates to
things spiritual or temporal ? I can conceive no difficulty in

196 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

answering wlietlier anj^ particular Bull relates to things spiritual
or temporal. The only necessary qualification for this purpose-
is to understand the Latin language, in which those documents-
are generally written ; and by giving the words their natural
meaning it is not difl&cult to understand whether they treat
temporal or spiritual concerns. But if the meaning of any
phrase should seem ambiguous, we should take them rather in a
spiritual than a temporal concern, as we hold that the
Pope, out of his own dominions, has no right to temporal
interference.

You have spoken of a work called the "BuUariura Romanum,"'
have you seen another work, being a collection of the Bulls of
Benedict XI Y., issued in the middle of the last century, in four
folios, edited by himself, and to which he has written a preface,
and which was printed by the types of the College of the-
Propaganda, as is stated in the preface, by the orders of the
Pope ? I know there is a work of that nature called the
" Bullarium of Benedict XI Y."

Did not the Pontificate of Benedict XI Y. occupy the middle-
of the eighteenth century ? It did.

What do you understand by the term " the Royalties of St.
Peter," as expressed in the oath taken by a Roman Catholic
Bishop ? The term "Regalia Sancti Petri" as expressed in the
oath taken by Roman Catholic Bishops, mean the temporal
honours, possessions, and prerogatives of the Pope in his own.
dominions. They are taken in the same sense as the " Patri-
monium Sancti Petri." This is the meaning attached to those
words by Yan Espen, Galinger, and all other canonists.

Did you ever hear the words employed at Rome, " Regalia
Sancti Petri ? " I may have heard them there, but I cannot
say at present whether I heard them more frequently used in
that city than elsewhere.

In the Tmdatus de Ecclesia, p. 149 and following, we find
these words : " Ecclesia dispersa est infallibilis. Probatur 1° ex
SS., 2^ ex Traditione, 3° ex praxi Ecclesiae," will you be so
kind as to express your view of the meaning and extent of that
proposition ? Catholics maintain that the Church enjoys the
precious gift of infallibility whether dispersed all over the
Christian world or represented in a General Council. Christ was
pleased to confer this privilege on His Church which he acquired
by His own blood, in order that she might be able to preserve
pure, to the end of time, that faith which He established, and to
guide men in matters of eternal moment, that they might not
be carried away by every wind of doctrine, as too many are at
the present day, who prefer their own judgments to the decisions
of the Church, and consequently run into those absurdities which

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 197

•disgrace Christianity and common sense. By virtue of this
infallibility of the dispersed Church, she cannot allow any error
in faith to taint the majority of her children, and in consequence
of this same infallibility, some Bulls of the Popes may become
articles of Catholic faith by receiving the tacit consent and
approbation of the Church.

In what manner has the Church in its dispersed state the
opportunity of confirming tacitly or by consent ? The Pope,
for example, may issue a Bull concerning some new doctrine,
and declare to the Universal Church that this doctrine isheretical;
and after this decision is made known to all the bishops, or a
majority of the bishops of the world, if they receive his decree
without reclaiming, within a reasonable time, they are supposed
to have consented, and it becomes of faith that the condemned
doctrine is heretical ; the same principle is applicable to the decrees
of Councils of whose oecumenicity there might be any well-founded
doubts. In a word, any doctrine, either of a particular Council
or Pope, may become of faith in the manner just explained.

That is unless there was a positive reclamation against it on
the part of the bishops ? Yes ; it must be recollected that it
requires a considerable time, a time morally sufficient for the
bishops to reclaim if they thought proper.

Are we right in supposing that if the Pope pronounces his
judgment upon a matter of faith, and that is made known to the
Homan CathoKc world, and the bishops, or a majority of the
bishops, within a reasonable time, do not reclaim against it, the
judgment of the Pope in that respect is infallible ? In that case
the decision given is infallibly true, not as coming from the Pope,
"but as having received the approbation of the Church.

Are we to collect that it is not your view that it is not an
article of faith with Roman Catholics that the judgment of the
Pope pronouncing upon a matter of faith is infallible, unless it
becomes confirmed as you have described by the tacit assent of
the dispersed Church ? No matter in what manner or under
what circumstances the Pope may pronounce on matters of faith,
though we treat his decision with much respect, still without the
approbation of the Church either represented in a General
Council or in its dispersed state, it is no article of Catholic faith
to believe that his judgment is infallible.

The oath of allegiance states very properly that it is an
article of the Catholic faith that the Pope is infallible, but you
.see there is a clear distinction between its being a necessary
article of faith that he is infallible, and the matter-of-fact that
Roman Catholics do, very many of them, believe him to be
infallible. We wish to ask you whether you have any doubt
that a great proportion of Roman Catholics do believe him to be

198

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

infallible when speaking ex cathedra in matters of faith, before
any positive or tacit consent of the Church has been given ? I
have no doubt that there are many Roman Catholics who hold
that the Pope when he solemnly pronounces on matters of faith
ex cathedra is infallible.

You have stated that in those instances in which Popes have
assumed or endeavoured to exercise a right of deposing kings,
or otherwise interfering with temporal rights, they have not
stated ih.e\v jus dkimim as the ground of such assumption or
exercise ; have they in those instances to which you refer, or
in any instances you can mention, stated, or does it appear clearly
from the Bull or Decree what the ground was upon which they
claimed the exercise of such a right ? In my answers I granted
that some Popes may seem to have claimed a ri^t jure divino of
interfering with temporal concerns ; but I must now repeat what
I then stated, that in no instance did they solemnly decree or
require the faithful to believe that \hejus dwinum was the ground
of the right which they have assumed.

Is it not an undisputed doctrine of the Poman Catholio
Church that the Pope's power in what is purely spiritual is co-
extensive with that which was committed to St. Peter by our
Saviour ? As Catholics believe the Pope to be the legitimate
successor of St. Peter, who was Chief of the Apostles, they also
maintain that in matters of a spiritual nature his power is com-
mensurate with that of St. Peter, and that he enjoys, as the
Prince of the Apostles did, the power of governing the universal
Church. Catholics, however, do not attribute to the Pope that
infallibility which St. Peter enjoyed as an inspired writer and
immediate Apostle of Christ.

Is it a point of doubt to that extent, and in that particular
case, whether the Pope's power is commensurate to that which
was entrusted to St. Peter ? In spiritual matters, with the
exception just mentioned, I have no reason to doubt that the
Pope has equal power in governing the Church.

In what doctrine or decree of the Church is the exception
made with respect to the infallibility of the Pope not being con-
ferred along with all other spiritual jurisdiction ? I am not
aware that it is made in any decree of the Church.

Are we to infer, therefore, that the jurisdiction vested in and
continued with the successors of St. Peter, was not in all points
the same as that which he received ? I mean to say that with
the exception I have already stated, that is, the point of doubt
respecting the infallibility of the Pope, he enjoys the same
jurisdiction in spiritual things as God was pleased to confer on
St. Peter, because he has in fact the same necessity for it ; as he^
like St. Peter, governs the Church.

MINUTES OP EVIDENCE. 199

But at the same time that lie is liable to err in the exercise
of that jurisdiction ? Some divines hold that he is liable to err
in every shape ; other divines hold that when he speaks ex
cathedra, that is as the universal Pastor of the Church, and
defining matters of faith, in such cases he is infallible.

Those who hold that he is liable to err may therefore conceive
that a particular Pope may, in particular instances, have
assumed a power as belonging to him in spirituals, which in fact
is not a power in spirituals but in something else ? Those who
hold that the Pope is fallible must hold, as the natural con-
sequences of their opinion, that by possibility he may assume
even in spirituals a right which would not belong to him, and
on such occasions would be liable to the correction of the
Universal Church.

In case a Pope should therefore decree a particular article of
doctrine as being an article of faith to be received by all Catholics,
is it still competent for the individual members of the Church,
without heresy, to consider whether that is a doctrine of faith ?
When the Pope proposed any doctrine to be believed, every
individual may, without incurring heresy, examine the truth
or falsehood of such doctrine, imtil it receives the approbation
of the Church, but this once obtained we are no longer to hesitate
in believing it.

You have said that the power committed to St. Peter and
his successors was of the same nature, and over the same sub-
jects, as that which was exercised by our Saviour himself when
upon earth ; and that this is to be discovered from the revealed
Word of God ; is it competent, therefore, for a member of the
Poman Catholic Church to consider whether the power or
superintendence or jurisdiction exercised by a particular Pope
is conformable to Scripture or not ? When a Pope issues a
Pull, no matter what that Bull may regard, a Catholic, without
incurring the note of heresy, may examine whether the Bull in
such case acts conformably with the Scripture or not ; but if it
be confirmed by the tacit consent of the Church, a Catholic would
be no longer at liberty to doubt of its truth, if it regarded faith.

Would it be competent for him to examine whether it re-
garded faith or not ? Before the consent of the Church de-
termined it to be of faith, he might freely discuss its merits ;
but afterwards he might merely examine it, however, not with
an intention of dissenting.

When you stated that our Lord left to St. Peter, and
through him to the Pope, only such power as our Lord Him-
self exercised, your answer had reference to a question whether
he gave him power over the temporal concerns of men, but you
did not thereby mean to say that our Lord gave to St. Peter

200 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and to every successive Pope the divine principle whicli ani-
mated Himself ? No ; I could not be presumed to give such,
an answer P

You hold as all Christians do that our Lord Himself could
not err or sin in any respect ? No doubt ; as I believe that our
Lord is God as well as man, I must have very wrong notions of
the divinity if I admitted that he could either sin or err.

You do not mean to say that he meant to give any such
power to St. Peter or to his successors, but only to say that he
(lid not extend any power to them beyond the power he exercised
Himself ? Certainly.

Homan Catholics and members of the Established Church,
and all who hold the divine inspiration of the Sacred Scriptures,
understand that the Apostles, each and every one of them, in
propounding the faith was infallible ? Undoubtedly.

But it has never entered into any person's mind, therefore, to
consider that every bishop, who is held in every church which
has bishops to be a successor of the Apostles, to be infallible ?
I stated at an early stage of the examination that each of the
Apostles immediately received the gift of infallibility from God,
and I also stated that it was a matter of great doubt whether
that infallibility, even when pronouncing on matters of faith,
devolved upon the Pope. I never asserted that the same infalli-
bility devolved upon other bishops.

The Roman Catholic doctrine with respect to the perpetual
infallibility is rested upon the passage of Scripture where our
Lord promises to be with His Church to the end of the world ?
That is one of the passages brought forward to prove it.

That is understood to be a promise given to the whole
Church ? Our Lord's promise of being in a special manner
with His Church. The text is, "Go teach all nations, and
behold I shall be with you to the end of time." This promise
was made to the Apostles in as much as they were teachers or
doctors, and as they were not to continue in that capacity to the
end of time, the divine promise must have included their suc-
cessors. Therefore, Christ promised to be with the Apostles
and their lawful successors for ever ; but it cannot be supposed
that he would thus be present with any body of men who
could teach errors in matters of eternal importance.

Poman Catholics in holding that the Pope is infallible at-
tribute infallibility to him, not upon the principle that infalli-
bility was given to each of the Apostles, but upon the principle
that infallibility was given to the Church, and that he represents
the Church ? The Catholics who hold that the Pope is infalli-
ble, by no means maintain that he enjoys that gift as the mere
successor to an Apostle, but because he succeeds to St. Peter

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

201

■who was the Prince of the Apostles, and that he, like St. Peter,
■was promised it, and needs it in the government of the Uni-
versal Church.

Considering that St. Peter was the supreme Head of the
Church, and that he was to have a successor who was also to be
the supreme Head of the Church, they hold that that attribute
of infallibility was to be transferred to his successors, though
not to the successor of any other of the Apostles ? Those who
do hold the infallibility of the Pope maintain it on that ground.

Will you state the nature and extent of the University of
Pome which you mentioned in the early part of your examina-
tion ? The University of Kome is a large building for the pur-
pose of admitting a great number of students to lecture ; but, as
far as I am aware, no professor or student lives in it. The dif-
ferent sciences are taught by a great number of learned pro-
fessors, and I should think that the students amounted to nearly
2,000. I cannot, however, state with accuracy what the precise
number may be.

Do the students reside in the colleges of Rome? The
ecclesiastical students chiefly reside in colleges ; the others may
reside where they think proper.

There are several colleges in Pome that receive students,
are there not ? There are several colleges that receive students.

Are the students in those colleges all more or less in the
habit of attending the lectures given in the University ? Not all.

Was the college at which you were in Pome an Irish
■College ? No ; it was an Italian College.

Is there an Irish College in Pome ? There was no Irish
College in Pome in my time ; there were some Irish convents.

Were all the inmates of the college of which you were a
member intended for the ecclesiastical profession ? Some of
them entered merely to receive a secular education ; but it some-
times occurred that those persons embraced the ecclesiastical
state afterwards.

Were you in priest's orders when you were in Pome ? I
was ; I had received priest's orders in Paris, where I had also
completed my studies before going to Pome.

Is there an Irish College now in Paris ? There is.

Have you any means of knowing the number of students
that may be in it at present ? I can by approximation tell the
number ; probably there are now sixty or upwards.

Are the greater part of those intended for the Poman
<I^atholic ministry in this country ? They are all intended for
it, as far as I am aware.

Are you aware of the particular reason that has induced
those individuals to prefer resorting, at what may be supposed

202

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

to be an increased expense, to Paris for education rather tLan.
going to Maynooth ? I cannot answer for the individual
motives of those persons ; but I think it may be presumed that
some go to acquire a knowledge of the French language, which
they could not so perfectly acquire in Ireland ; others may be
desirous of seeing strange countries, and they may have other
motives of which I am not aware.

Are the majority of the inmates of the Irish College at Paris-
in priest's orders? When a student becomes a priest he i&
obliged after a very short time to leave the college ; because
the nature of the establishment excludes priests ; but there may"
be many in deacon's orders.

Is the rule of discipline in general as strict in the Irish College
in Paris as it is at Maynooth ? I am not perfectly acquainted
with the system of discipline at Maynooth ; but as far as I have
been able to observe I think they are pretty much the same.

Is the difficulty of going forth from the college as great in
Paris as it is at Maynooth ? The way of going out into the city
from the college is to apply to some competent Superior ; he
examines the motives that the student sets forth, if he considers
them reasonable he allows him to go out ; if not he obliges him
to stop at home.

Do they in fact go into the city without that permission ?'
I am not aware of what abuses may occur ; but if a student
went to the city without permission he would be considered as-
transgressing the rule.

What is your own experience as to the matter of fact upon
that subject? I cannot state that I have ever known any
student to go to Paris without asking permission.

Are the professors in the college generally French or Irish ?
The professors are sometimes Irish and sometimes French.

By whom are they appointed? By the President of the
College.

Who appoints the President of the College ? The President
receives his ultimate appointment from the King of France.

Who recommends him in the first instance ? I am not
aware what recommendation any President has received to be
appointed.

Is there no rule that his appointment is to commence with
any person other than the King of France ? If the King of
France wishes to act absolutely, he might appoint to the Presi-
dency of the College an Irish ecclesiastic that he may judge fit
for the situation ; but it is my belief that he does not appoint
anyone who is not recommended by some clerical authority in
Ireland.

Are we to understand that it is an Irish ecclesiastic, as dis-

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 203-

tinguished from a French ecclesiastic, tliat must be appointed ?
No doubt.

Does tbe course of education in the University of Paris
differ materially from that at Maynooth ? It is natural to
suppose that in Maynooth, where its different professors, accoru-
ing to the present system, are all paid by the College, they
cannot be in so great a number as in the University of Paris
where they are most liberally paid by Government ; and in this
respect the course of education is much more extensive in the
University ; but if I am asked as to the relative merits of the
professors of both establishments, I can only say that I am not
sufficiently acquainted with the gentlemen of Maynooth to
institute a comparison. I must observe, however, that the
encouragement given by the Government to the professors of
Paris is a powerful motive why they should retain their pro-
fessorships for a long time, and, consequently, become clever in
their respective departments.

What number of years do they remain in the University of
Paris ? The ecclesiastical part of the University of Paris has
not been in its splendour for some time. I understand they
are now re-establishing it, and what number of years they may
require students to remain I am not aware of ; but as to the
secular portion of the University a student stops there as long
as he thinks proper.

Do you think it possible that the faculties of the young men
would enable them to comprehend a wider range of study in
five years than that which is laid down at Maynooth, according
to the present system ? I think that if the question is put with
respect to clerical education exclusively, Maynooth affords suf-
ficient opportunities to a young man ; that better opportunities
are afforded in foreign universities, I believe, is generally allowed.

Do you think it would be possible to comprehend more than
is comprehended in Maynooth in that time ? I think that the
system of studies in Maynooth is such as to require very close
application from the students to comprehend the matter that is
to be studied within the prescribed time.

Are the regulations with respect to silence the same in the
University of Paris as in Maynooth ? The University of Paris
is a very extensive establishment, it is not confined to any par-
ticular house or building — it comprised all the royal institutions
for education in France ; hence I would require to know the
particular discipline of all those institutions before I could
answer the question.

Are the young men educated for the clerical profession in
France subject to the same discipline with regard to the ob-
servance of silence as they are in Maynooth ? The clerical

S04 DIOUESE OF ARDAGH.

students who attend lectures attlie Ilniversity of Paris generally
reside in colleges, and in those establishments they are obliged
to be equally observant of silence, during study hours, as the
students of Maynooth.

Do the students of the Irish College at Paris attend the
lectures in the Uniyersity ? The Clerical UniTersity, properly
speaking, is not yet organised, and hence they have not yet an
opportunity of attending ; but still there are lectures delivered
by way of continuation of the ancient Sorbonne, and I believe
they sometimes attend those lectures.

When you were in the Irish College did you attend any
lecture given not in the College, but in the University ?
\y hilst I was in the College I never attended any lectures given
in the University on clerical subjects ; but I attended them be-
fore going there.

Speaking of the times before the E evolution, was it the habit
of the students of the Irish College to attend the lectures given
in the University ? It was usual with some of them to attend.

Are the two buildings near to each other ? They are con-
venient to each other.

Had the students of the Irish College any lectures of their
own distinct from those delivered in the University? After
attending the lectures in the University when they came home
there was another professor whose business it was to see that
they had well attended to the lecture at the University, and to
make them account to him for the duty of the day.

Was their attendance upon the lectures in the University
confined to the lectures in Theology, or did it extend to the
lectures in Mathematics and JN'atural Philosophy and other sub-
jects ? I should think it extended to all.

When you were in Paris were there lectures delivered in
the University upon N'atural Philosophy ? There were.

Was it the habit of the students in the Irish College to
attend upon those lectures? It was not habitual with the
students to go, but I sometimes went myself.

Can you form any opinion as to the probable number of
students in the University of Paris itself? As the University
of Paris comprehends the schools of Law, Medicine, and
Theology, and many other departments, probably there may be
ii ve or six' thousand ; I should think there is at least that number.

Are there any students or professors living in the building
which is denominated the University ? There is no one build-
ing denominated the University in Paris ; but that portion of
the University which was called Sorbonne — and which is a
very extensive building — formerly lodged the professors ;
whether they live there now or not I cannot say.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 205

Do the majority of the students who attend the lectures in
the University live in colleges ? Those who attend the clerical
lectures in the University with very few exceptions always live
in colleges.

May any stranger casually resident in Paris attend the
University ? In Paris, as well as every other part of the Con-
tinent where I have been, strangers are admitted to attend
lectures with as much facility as natives are.

Are they required to pay in such cases ? They are required
to pay nothing unless they wish to graduate, and at the time of
receiving degrees there is a trifling expense to be incurred to
pay the clerk who writes the diploma, etc.

Who is the lecturer in Natural Philosophy in the University
of Paris ? In my time it was M. Thenard, and there was an-
other, M. Biot, who is now dead.

Have they very fine collections of specimens and apparatus
and machinery for the purposes of the lectures ? The machiuerv
is not very extensive, if compared with the numbers who attend ;
but they have got machinery.

Is there any recourse had to the Museum of the Jardin des
Plantes by the lecturer ? There are public lectures given in
the Jardin des Plantes by M. Cuvier.

Is that by him as a professor of the University ? I am not
aware that it is ; I should rather think it is not ; for I recoUect
that Abbe Haue also gave lectures on Mineralogy, and I know
that he did not belong to the nimiber of professors of the
University.

Were there any printed class books of Theology employed
in the Irish College in Paris ? The class book of Theology
employed in my time was Bailly.

Is it the same Bailly's " Theologia Moralis " as that em-
ployed at Maynooth ? The very same.

Does Bailly's printed treatise include Dogmatic Theology ?
It includes both Dogmatic and Moral Theology.

At what time did Bailly live ? He has been dead now
about seventeen or eighteen years.

Do you know from what books principally Bailly extracted
his course ? He extracted from the Holy Fathers, from exist-
ing Theologians, from Councils, and other sources.

Did he form his work chiefly out of the works of particular
theologians in preference to others ? I am not aware that he
followed one author more closely than another.

Do you know to what part of France he belonged ? I
believe he belonged to Dijon.

Was it not the habit of the French University for the pro-
fessors to deliver their lectures from written memoranda and

■206 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

not from printed books ? All tlie clerical lectures that I at-
tended in. the French University were not delivered from such
dociunents ; they \rere delivered by the professors, probably
after having consulted different authors on the subject.

Were they delivered extempore ? They were delivered with-
out the assistance of any written memorandum.

Were the students expected to prepare themselves through
the medium of any particular printed books for the subject
matter of those lectures ? As the students who came there
were from different colleges each student prepared himself,
probably, by the class book used in his house ; however, he was
at Kberty to consult other authorised authors.

Was the mode of delivering public lectures the same in the
University of Rome as you have just described to be adopted
in Paris ? In my time at the University of Rome our clerical
professor dictated from a written document ; but I imderstand
the present Pope has abolished that method, and requires the
professor to confine himself to an exposition of some authorised
class book ; the professor studies his matter, and whatever point
he considers difficult he verbally explains to the students.

Will you describe the nature of any lectures that may have
related more particularly to the Scriptures in the Irish College
in Paris ? Was there a professor of Sacred Scripture ? There
was one of the gentlemen of the house, the Yice-President, who
explained the Scriptures ; I did not attend his class, and I
cannot say what his mode of explanation was, but I presume
that he consulted the authorised cormnentators, and gave out
the substance of what he read.

Was there a professor of Sacred Scripture in the University
of Pome ? Yes.

Can you describe the general nature of the course of his
lectures ? He explains and marks out for the students a certain
portion of Scripture, and in a succeeding class he both interro-
gates the students and explains the difficult passages.

What part of the Scripture does he principally select for the
subject of the exposition ? He explains the whole Bible, perhaps
not beginning with Genesis, but I beheve he omits no part.

Are aU the divinity students of Ptome required to attend
his class ? I do not know if there is any particular obligation,
but I know that most of them attend.*

* Living as we do ta the light that comes from the decrees of the Vatican
Covmcil, the spirit and tone of this very able "evidence" will doubtless appear
objectionable to many ; but I would ask such persons to reflect upon the period
and circumstances in which it was given ; that the Professorial Staff at Maynooth
in those days largely consisted of French Refugees, and that Dr. O'Higgins
himself had passed most of his previous days in French Schools and Universities.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 207

The Tithes' Agitation was a burning question in Dr.
O'Higgins' time. He took an active part in it. His views and
those of the Ardagh Clergy, regarding it are partially ex-
pressed in the following resolutions and memorial, which were
drawn up by the bishop himself : —

Resolved : — " That the paying of tithes, as they are now
appropriated in Ireland, being contrary to reason and religion,
it is the imperative duty of every sincere Christian to suffer any
persecution — even death itseK — rather than willingly acquiesce
in their payment."

E-esolved : — " That any landed proprietor who may be so
iniquitous and mean as to assist in the exacting of tithes from
his own impoverished tenantry, must be held in abhorrence and
contempt by every man of independence or principle."

Resolved: — " That the people of Ireland have established a
lasting claim to the gratitude of the Protestant Bishops and
Parsons, by merely ceasing to pay tithes, and thus generously
resigning their natural and imdeniable right to compensation
for past rapine."

Resolved : — " That Daniel O'Connell, whom we look upon
as the greatest and best man in the civilized world, continues
to command our unbounded admiration, and to enjoy our fullest
confidence ; and that we shall always be prepared to support
him — despite his unjust opponents, be they who they may — with
our purses and all our energies, in his glorious pursuit of liberty
and justice for Ireland."

To the Right Honourable and Honourable the Knights, Bur-
gesses, and Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, the Petition
of the inhabitants of the Parish of Shrule, in the County
of Longford,
Most Humbly Showeth : — That, in common with their
fellow-countrymen, your petitioners feel themselves deeply
injured and degraded by the baneful operation of that un-
christian impost called Tithes. That the levying taxes both
on the property and on the industry of a populous and im-
poverished nation, for the unnatural purpose of maintaining a
few useless persons in luxury, and furnishing them the means
of calumniating the religion of the many, as the Irish Parsons
generally do, is in the opinion of your petitioners contrary to
reason and Christianity ; and cannot, therefore, be made by any
human enactments binding on the consciences of Christians.
That, consequently, your petitioners feel a religious abhorrence
for the direct or indirect payment of Tithes ; and most humbly,

208 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

but most earnestly, pray your honourable house : that, for the-
furtherance of justice, the benefit of society, and the glory of
God, who is daily outraged by the cruel practice of exacting-
Tithes in Ireland, you will, in your justice and wisdom, abolish
them for ever in this country — apply the Church lands for the
maintenance of the poor and other exigencies of the State,
leaving the Protestant bishops and parsons to live in a Christian-
like manner on the voluntary oblations of those who may re-
quire or value their services. And your petitioners, as in duty
bound, will ever pray.

The Bishop and most of the petitioners died before the
passing of the Disestablishment Bill was accomplished. It was
given, not through a sense of justice, but through fear and
compulsion, and after much public disorder and confusion.

THE EIGHT EEY. DR. KILDFFF

succeeded to the Sees of St. Mel and St. Kieran. He was born
on the 11th Nov. 1820, of highly virtuous and wealthy parents,
at Bushfield, St. Mary's Parish, Athlone. Having received his
primary, and a portion of his intermediate, education in a
classical school, conducted, at that time, by an able and efiicient
teacher, who was vmder the direction and patronage of the late
Very Eev. Kieran Kilroe, P.P., St. Mary's, Athlone, the youth-
ful and promising Kilduff was sent to St. Vincent's Seminary,
Castleknock. He entered that College on the 1st day of Sept.
1838, and in two years after, having graduated in the Humanity
and Ehetoric classes with great distinction, he was sent to Eome,
and was enrolled there, on the loth Sept., 1840, as a student of
the Irish College. He remained there for the period of eight
years, one month, and twenty days, and was during that time
engaged in the study of Ehetoric, Philosophy, Sacred Theology,
and the Scriptures. His masters were some of the most cele-
brated scholars amongst the members of the illustrious Order of
the Jesuits. On the 12th March, 181:2, he received the clerical
tonsure, and on the 15th November, 1846, the four minor
orders. On the 8th December, 1846, he received sub-deacon-
ship, and on the 19th of the same month and year he was pro-
moted to deaconship.

On the 11th June, a.d. 1847, he was ordained priest, and
on the 29th June, 1853, he was consecrated Bishop of Ardagh,
being only six years a priest, and aged thirty-two years, seven
months, and eight days. He was called the " young Bishop,"
and justly so ; for we have no other instance, solar as I know, of
any Irish prelate having been raised to the episcopacy at so
early an age. To find a similar case we must go to other

DR. KILDUFF. 209

countries and other periods and different circumstances in the
history of the government of the Church. That his appoint-
ment was most fortunate and fruitful, subsequent events will
clearly show.

After his elevation to the priesthood, but before his con-
secration as bishop, he remained at Rome by the request and
advice of Dr. Cullen, Eector of the Irish College, to teach the
alumni of that seminary Moral Philosophy. For sixteen
months he discharged the duties of professor with great energy
and effect. On the 4th November, 1848, he left Rome and
came to Paris and entered the House of Missions of St. Vincent
de Paul, St. Lazar, Rue de Sevres, where he remained for five
months. During that period he acquired a great facility in
speaking the French language. About the end of April, 1849,
he left France and came to Ireland and joined his old friends
the Yincentians at Castleknock, where he was appointed Pro-
fessor of Rhetoric and the Sacred Scrijjtures. In the discharge
of the duties of that important ofiice he was engaged for one
year, at the end of which he expressed a wish to go with the
fathers and give Missions to the poor in different parts of the
country. In that meritorious and laborious occupation he con-
tinued during the remaining period of his sojourn with the Yin-
centians, whose vows, he himself tells us, in his Autobiography,
he nerer made although frequently invited to do so. The Sees
of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise having become vacant by the
death of Dr. O'Higgins, an election was held at Ballymahon,
and the parish priests nominated the Yery Rev. Dr. Dawson as
dignissimus. Dr. Smyth, P.P., Ballnahown, dignior, and Dr.
O'Beirne, dignus.

In some months after, to the surprise of many, and esjjecially
of Dr. Kilduff himself, the Pope appointed Father Kilduff
Bishop of Ardagh. Dr. Kilduff used his best influence to
escape the burden, but was unsuccessful. He was told it was
better for him to regard the voice of Rome as the voice of God
in his regard.

CONSECRATION OF DR. KILDUFF.

The solemn rite of consecrating this pious and amiable
prelate was celebrated on Wednesday the 29th June, Feast of
SS. Peter and Paul, in the Yincentian Church of St. Peter,
Phibsboro', Dublin. His Grace Dr. Cullen, Archbishop of
Dublin, officiated as consecrating prelate, assisted by Most Rev.
Dr. Dixon, Primate of all Ireland, and the Right Rev. Dr.
Cantwell, Bishop of Meath. The sermon was preached by the
Yery Rev. Dr. Taylor, President of Carlow College, and th

15

"210 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Yery Rev. Dr. Woodlock, President, AH Hallows College, acted

as master of ceremonies.

Long before eleven o'clock, tlie liour appointed for tlie
commencement of the solemn ceremony, tlie spacious cliurch.
was densely crowded vnih a vast congregation, comprising a
large section of the Catholic gentry of the city and neighbour-
hood of DubKn as well as of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clon-
macnoise. Kearly all the Ardagh clergy were present, and
representatives of the Dublin clergy and other dioceses in Ire-
land.

The bishop-elect having entered the sanctuary, robed in
vestments of white and gold, was conducted by the Venerable
Archdeacon Hamilton to the side altar where he knelt in praj^er.
His appearance and demeanour were observed with deep interest
and obvious edification by the vast congregation. He seemed
rapt in devout meditation and looked the very impersonation
of a holy priest, who in his day was pleasing to Cod. The
Eight Reverend Bishops Denvir, M'Gettigan, M'Nally, Kelly,
Whelan, and O'Connor occupied seats in the sanctuary.

In a very short time after his consecration he proceeded to
Ardagh and took possession of his pro- cathedral. Longford
being the most central town in his diocese and the most con-
venient for visits from the clergy, as well as the site of the new
cathedral, he decided at once to take up his residence there.
Happy decision and happy day for Longford. The young
bishop being endowed with great spiritual as well as physical
strength, set to work in a manner that astonished many and
edified all observers. To the execution of his undertakings he
brought a sound, clear, practical judgment, and a heart strong
almost as a Kon's, after his judgment had been decidedly
formed. It was in that spirit and fashion he set about the
completion of the cathedral, a work quite sufficient to daunt
even a very courageous man. The young bishop appealed to
the entire diocese for funds, and the response surpassed the
most sanguine expectations. He appealed again and again,
and invariably with surprisiug success. He set a splendid ex-
ample himself on the occasion of each appeal by a most generous
subscription. It gradually became known that aU his own
private income was put into the building fund, and the result
was unequalled generosity on the part of the people of Longford
especially and the laity throughout the diocese in general.
The happy day for its opening at length came. His heart was
glad and rejoiced, as did the hearts of his priests and people.
His own beautiful description of that joyous event will be seen
further on.

DR. KILDUFF.

211

EiRST Pastoral Letter of Dr. Kilduff, issued in 1853.

Tastoml Address of the Right Reverend Dr. Kilduff to the Catholic
Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of Ardagh.

Having come to take amongst you the position to wliicli
Divine Providence has been pleased, notwithstanding my great
unworthiness, to call me, I desire to share with you some of
those anxious thoughts and feelings which fill my mind in view
of the serious cares and responsibilities that lie before me.

Though sprung from amongst you, I am almost a stranger
to you. On being promoted to the holy order of priesthood,
my inclinations led me to join an institute which permitted me
to combine the active duties of my ministry with the ad-
vantages of community life. In this state I was happy, and
happy should I be if permitted to persevere in it, labouring as
well as I could for the salvation of souls, and, at the same time,
profiting of the edifying example of my holy companions as
well as of the other advantages of such a condition of life for
my own sanctification.

It was, therefore, with unspeakable anguish that I re-
ceived the summons which called on me to abandon that state of
quiet and happy seclusion in which I was living, and to assume
the government of this extensive diocese. Neither remonstrance
nor resistance was of any avail. I was to have no will of my
own, except to conform to the will of the Supreme Pastor of
Christ's sheepfold on earth, who, in the mode and manner of
my appointment left me no alternative but to obey.

And now, Very Reverend and Reverend Brethren of the
Clergy, finding myself thus amongst you, what have I to say
to you, but that our ministry is one, that our responsibiKties are
the same, and that you and I are to discharge a joint embassy
for Christ to the faithful of this diocese. Thus united in the
same holy cause, I am fiUed with consolation in the thought
that "being of one mind to one another" and "loving one
another with brotherly love," your intelligence and enlighten-
ment, your zeal and energy shall be to me a powerful aid, and
compensate for all that is defective in me. Our obligations,
though numerous and weighty, may be stated in a very few
words ; they are to conduct, feed, and defend that portion of the
flock of Christ committed to our joint care.

To CONDUCT THEM.^In Order to satisfy this obligation, we
are to model our lives on the life of the Supreme Pastor, who
first practised, giving in himself the example of the sublime
virtues which he afterwards preached. In imitation of Him

212 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

vre should so live as to be able to say to tbe faithful, with whose-
guidance we are charged, " I have given you an example that
as I have done, you do likewise." This was the great lesson
the Apostle of the Gentiles had constantly before his mind, and
hence he was enabled to say to the early Christians, " be ye-
foUowers of me, as I also am of Christ." — 1 Cor. iv. 16. In_
thus exhibiting in our lives an example of that conduct which,
the faithful are to imitate, we shall, according to the exhortation,
of the Holy Council of Trent, so regulate our lives and habits,
that in dress, deportment, conversation, and all our exterior
conduct, nothing shall appear but what is serious, what is sub-
dued and full of religion. AYe shall avoid even lighter faults,
which in us, on account of the sanctity of our character, should
bear the stamp of special enormity,* in order that the whole-
tenor of our lives may, according to the words of our Blessed
Saviour, make us " the light of the world." — Matthew, v. 14^
Oh ! happy the sheep that are conducted by such Pastors, who-
themselves are made the " pattern of the flock." — 1 Peter, v. 3.
Following such guides they will be conducted without fail " to-
the most fruitful pastures — there shall they rest on the green
grass, and be fed in fat pastures upon the mountains of Israel.'*"
Ezech. xxxiv. 14.

To FEED THEM. — This obligation we are to discharge chiefly^
by affording to the faithful the food of Grod's Word and the
Sacraments. This is the support whereon the sheep of Christ
are to live in their passage through the desert of this world to the
pastures of eternal life. And, " as ministers of Christ and dis-
pensers of the mysteries of Grod." — 1 Cor. iv. 1 — we shall
always bear in mind what treasures we possess in the Sacra-
ments for the benefit of the faithful. They have here a remedy-
for all their spiritual necessities. Here they find so many
fountains of grace springing up to everlasting life. Whilst,
therefore, the faithful shall always find easy access through our-
ministry to these Heavenly Institutions, we shall feel it our duty
to encourage their frequent approach to the Holy Sacraments of
Penance and the Blessed Eucharist. In these divine mysteries
our ever blessed Saviour has provided medicine and food, both
to cure the diseases of our souls and to impart to them the
support we require on our pilgrimage through the desert of this
world. We shall not, therefore, be content with affording the
faithful the opportunities of partaking of these sacraments once-
or twice a year, as it were by routine ; but, explaining the richer
of divine grace contained therein, we shall exhort them to have
frequent recourse to them ; that they may live in the constant
friendship of God and make daily progress in virtue.

* Concil. Trid. Sess. xxii. c. 1., de Reform.

DR. KILDUFF. 213

To preach the gospel to every creature was the com mission,
given to the Apostles. Partaking of their ministry and con-
tinuing the same heavenly dispensation, we have taken upon
ourselves the same high and holy duty. In virtue of the re-
sponsibility attached to our ordination, we must say with the
Apostle : "If I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me : for a
necessity lieth upon me : for woe is unto me if I preach
NOT the gospel." — 1 Cor. ix. 16. It is imder the thrilling
sense of this obligation that he exhorts his disciple, Timothy,
and adjures him by the most solemn entreaties sajdng : "I
charge thee before (iod and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
living and the dead, by His coming, and His Kingdom : preach
the Word : be instant in season, out of season : reprove,
entreat, rebuke," &c. — 2 Tim. iv. 1-2.

To defend them. — As good pastors we have to defend the
fold of Christ from the thief and the robber who come not but
" to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." — John, x. 10. " We must
not be as the hireling, who seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the
sheep, and flieth." — tfohn, x. 12. Alas, if the complaint could
be renewed against us : " My flock you did not feed ; the weak
you have not strengthened, and that which was sick you have
not healed : that which was broken you have not bound up, and
that which was driven away you have not brought again, neither
have you sought that which was lost. My sheep were scattered,
and they became the prey of all the beasts of the field." —
Ezech. xxxiv. 3-5. What a dreadful retribution should await
us in the execution of the sentence already threatened by the
Prophet, in continuation of the passage just quoted : "I will
require my flock at their hand." In reflecting upon this ob-
ligation of our sacred calling, we cannot forget the times in
which we live. Do they not, in truth, appear to be those
"dangerous times," foretold by the Apostle. — 2 Tim. iii. 1.
We behold the flock invaded by the wolf, at one time, in the
clothing of sheep, and at another in his undisgmsed ferocity.
Reflecting upon the rage and fanaticism that of late has sprung
up against all that is sacred in our holy rehgion ; would it not
seem that the mouth of the infernal abyss had burst open in
our times and had sent forth a vapour to poison the very atmo-
sphere of social life, and overthrow that charity which teaches
us to love our very enemies, and pray for those who persecute
and calumniate us. What vigilance, therefore, and fortitude
do we not need to guard and defend the flock of Christ ? Surely
there never was a time when the pastor had more need to keep
iefore his mind the divine maxim : " The good shepherd giveth
iis life for his sheep." — John, x. ii.

And you, dearly beloved Brethren of the laity, is it not on

214 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

your account that I entertain myself thus seriously with your
venerated clergy ? Sharing in their responsibilities so largely,
I cannot be free of their solicitude for your salvation. It is,,
however, consoling that if our duties are most serious in your
regard, you are ever willing to correspond with the efforts of our
zeal. Bound together by a community of suffering for ages ;
the zealous clergy of this land and our faithful people are in-
separably united in the charity of Christ. With St. Paul we
may ask, "Who shall separate us? Shall tribulation? or dis-
tress ? or famine ? or nakedness ? or danger ? or the sword ? "
— Eomans, viii. 35. All these trials we have already withstood.
They are the glorious proofs of our holy faith, " much more
precious than gold which is tried by the fire," and to be found
"unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus
Christ."—! Peter, i. 7.

Eeflecting, therefore, dearly beloved brethren, upon our
obligations in your regard " I bow my knees to the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ" — Ephes. iii. 14 — and lift up my
heart to thank the great Author and Finisher of our faith, for
that incorruptible fidelity with which, at all times, and more
especially under the trials of these latter years, you have clung
to your devoted pastors, following their guidance, receiving at
their hands the food of immortality, and sheltering yourselves
under their protection.

I purpose, with the divine assistance, to have the happiness
of going amongst you, in your respective parishes, to administer
the Sacrament of Confirmation to your little ones. You will, I
am sure, eagerly avail yourselves for their instruction of the
arrangements the clergy will everywhere make for the purpose.
If there be any grown persons amongst you who, through any
cause have not received this holy sacrament they will zealously
prepare themselves for the opportunity they will have now af-
forded them. You will bear in mind that whoever omits to
receive Confirmation (through contempt) is guilty of a grievous
sin, so that the contemptuous neglect of it alone would entail
everlasting perdition. Especially amidst the dangers and
attacks which menace and assail us just now, the faithful should
have recourse to this sacrament, which strengthens and enables
the Christian to profess his faith openly, and to perform all the
duties which religion prescribes without fear, shame, or human
respect.

I cannot close this address without a word to you upon a
subject which equally engages your feelings as also those of
your respected clergy. It is, dearly beloved brethren, the
cathedral of the diocese. Conceived and undertaken by the late
venerated Bishop, in a spirit worthy of his enterprising and ex-

DR. KILDUFF. 215'

pansive mind, and with a desire to make it worthy, as far as
human means could make it, of its sacred destination, it has
arrived at a state which, considering its colossal proportions, its
style of execution, and the difficult times which have overtaken
its progress, should make it a more difficult question to say how
it has been so far advanced, than, being so far advanced, how is
it to be completed ? It is in reflecting upon what has been
accomplished that I am full of hope as to what remains to be
done. I trust that the diocese at large will generously unite in
realising a sum sufficient for proceeding with the work. This
united effort becomes more than ever necessarj^ at the present
time, since the building has now arrived at that stage in which
it is no longer possible to proceed by small additions, as for some
years past, but before anything more can be done, a considerable
sum will be reqmred to purchase all the materials for roofing
and slating, &c. We should remember that it is not the church
of a parish or a district. It is the church of the diocese. We
are, therefore, to be of one mind in reference to it, bishop,
priests, and people. Would that, putting on the spirit of
Solomon, we would all say : " the house which I desire to build,
is great, for our God is great above all gods. Who then can
be able to build Him a worthy house ? If heaven, and the
heavens of heavens cannot contain Him : who am I that I
should be able to build Him a house ? The house which I
desire to build, is to be exceeding great and glorious." — 2
Paralip. ii. 5-9. Considering for whom we are erecting an
abode, that it is of Him we hold all that we possess, and that in
all the splendour and magnificence which this world can furnish,
we could only testify our desire to honour his Supreme Majesty
but can never honour Him with a dwelling worthy of His glory,
so far from withholding our worldly means, we should reach
forth the hand of religious bounty, vicing with each other in a
combined effort to carry forward this diocesan work to a speedy
completion.

I take this opportunity of addressing myself likewise to
those benevolent and charitable persons without the diocese
under whose observation these remarks may fall, inviting them
to have a share, by their contributions, in the merits of so
glorious a work and in the prayers and sacrifice that shall be
offered up for all who will have assisted in building this temple
to the Lord.

In conclusion let me exhort you, brethren, to pray without
ceasing, to practise all the duties of your holy religion, with
unswerving fidelity, to preserve charity with all men, to be
obedient to the laws and constituted authorities of the realm.
You wiU pray with particular fervour for the Supreme Pastor,

216 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

■who SO gloriously fills the chair of St. Peter, who is the source
of all ecclesiastical authority and centre of all Christian unity.
Pray also for me, j^our unworthy prelate — pray " that speech
may be given me, that I may open my mouth with confidence,
to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an
ambassador " to you. — Ephes. vi., 19, 20. And that your
prayers may be the more acceptable at the throne of grace, you
will present them through the ever blessed Mother of God,
whose powerful intercession with her Divine Son, makes her
our life, our sweetness, and our hope in this land of exile.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of
God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost, be with you
all — Amen.

*^ John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of St. Martha V.
July 29th, 1853.

First Pastoral Letter of Dr. Kilduff, soliciting Contri-
butions FROM THE Laity of the Diocese towards the
Completion of St. Mel's Cathedral.

To the Very Reverend and Reverend the Clergy and to the Faithful
the Laity of the Diocese of Ardagh.

Yery Reverend and Reverend Brethren of the Clergy, and
dearly beloved Brethren of the Laity,

On undertaking the administration of this extensive diocese,
the condition of our Cathedral, so long in progress, and yet
requiring so much to be completed, presented itself to my mind
as a subject of deep and grave solicitude. Since, however, I
have been amongst you and witnessed, during my late visitation
of the diocese, the earnest spirit of reKgion by which you are
animated, I have been much relieved, and I have treasured up
the encouraging hope that it is only necessary to appeal to the
diocese at large in order to obtain the aid and co-operation
necessary for carrying on to its completion this great diocesan
work. In venturing to make this appeal, I should earnestly
wish to communicate to you all the conviction with which my
own mind is deeply impressed, namely, that the task we have
before us is possible of accomplishment. The amount required
is, indeed, considerable in itself ; but it could be easily shown
that a contribution, according to each person's means, from all
the parishes of the diocese would more than make up that

DR. KILDUFF. 217

4iraount. Let us, therefore, first of all, bring home to our
minds the consideration that the undertaking we are about to
engage in is by no means impossible of accomplishment, that it
will not even press inconveniently upon any individual, and that
all that is required is a generous effort of the diocese at large.

In thus seeking to obtain your combined co-operation, let
me anticipate a difficulty which possibly may stand in the way.
It may occur to individuals to say : " The amount I am able to
afford is but a trifle. If I give it, it will scarcely add anything
to the general fund. If I withhold it, it will not be missed
from so large an amount." This mode of reasoning may occur
not only to individuals, but to the population of an entire parish,
which, extending its influence, would mar the general effort to
a degree it would be difficult to calculate. Instead, then, of a
mode of reasoning which would be fatal, let us say, that the
work on hands is not the work of the diocese generally, but of
each individual in particular. Let each one of us say, " I, too —
I, in particular— am called upon to have my share in this work,
to contribute according to my means towards its execution."
Even the widow, the poor widow, will not exempt herself, recol-
lecting the example of the widow's mite in the Grospel, and
feeling that her reward shall exceed the reward of those who
will have given more largely, but from their abundance.

I am aware that you have already, at different times, been
called upon, and, were I even to be silent, the building, in all
the magnitude of its size and splendour of its style, would
proclaim the generosity of your contributions. But is it not on
this account that it is so dear to you, that you have its comple-
tion so much at heart, and that you glory beforehand in the
everlasting honour it is destined to confer upon the illustrious
prelate by whom it was undertaken, and upon the zealous clergy
and faithful laity by whom he was aided in forwarding its
progress ?

I, therefore, flatter myself that, so far from regarding your
past generosity as an objection, I am to look to it as an earnest
of the success of the effort now to be made. Wherefore, relying
fully upon your good will — upon the good will of the devoted
clergy, and the good will of the faithful laity of the diocese —
I shall be content with merely placing before your minds the
religious motives by which you are to be actuated in giving
your contributions.

We read in the Book of Exodus that, when Moses was con-
ducting the Israelites through the desert, he was commanded
by the Almighty to construct a Tabernacle for their rehgious
worship. The servant of God instantly resolved to obey the
command, and called upon all the children of Israel to contri-

218 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

bute towards its construction. So cheerfully did they respond
to his call, that, contributing not only what they could con-
veniently spare, but stripping themselves even of their bracelets-
and ear-rings, &c., they continued pouring in their contribu-
tions, until Moses had to order them by proclamation to cease,,
announcing to them that their offerings were not only sufficient,
but more than sufficient, for the purpose. — Exodus, chaps, xxxv.
and xxxvi. "What an example for us, and an example the power
of which is immeasurably enhanced when we consider the dignity
of the Christian Temple, which is so much exalted above the
Tabernacle of the Old Law.

Again, we learn from the Sacred Scriptures that, after the
Israelites had been some time settled in the Land of Promise,
the Almighty desired that a building should be erected to Him
more worthy of His worship. Wherefore, He commanded the
prophet Nathan to say to King David : " Thus saith the Lord :
shalt thou build me a house to dwell in ? Whereas I have not
dwelt in a house from the day that I brought the children of
Israel out of the land of Egypt, even to this day : but have
walked in a tabernacle and in a tent." — 2 Kings, ch. vii. The
pious David communicated the injunction of Heaven to the
entire nation over which he ruled. He called for contributions
of every sort and from every direction, and spent the remainder
of his life in making preparations for the great work. Ani-
mating his people, his words of exhortation were : " The work
is great ; for a house is prepared, not for man, but for Grod."
And dying, he bequeathed to his son Solomon the great task
which it was not given to himself to accomplish. — 1 Paralipo-
menon, chaps, xxii. and xxix. Solomon employed that science
and wisdom with which he was endowed above the sons of men in
prosecuting the holy undertaking ; and no sooner had he finished
that great Temple, which was not only the glory of the Jewish
nation, but a wonder for the entire universe, than Almighty
God vouchsafed to give him the most positive assurance of his
approval and complacency, declaring that His eyes and His
heart would never depart from that sacred abode, and that He
would be ever attentive to the prayers which should, for all
times to come, be offered up in that great religious sanctuary.
" I have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.
. . . My eyes also shall be open, and my ears attentive to the
prayer of him that shall pray in this place. For I have chosen,
and have sanctified this place, that my name may be there for
ever, and my eyes and my heart may remain there perpetually." —
2 Paralipomenon, chap. vii.

How nearly does this history apply to our condition. We
have no Diocesan Church — for I shall not wound your feelings-

DR. KILDUFF. 219'

by speaking of the little Chapel of Longford, which, in its
present condition, is all but a complete wreck. Let us rather
look forward with pleasing anticipation to the splendid building
destined for our new Cathedral. Let us consider how the
Almighty looks down upon it from on high ; how He would
call upon us all and each to expedite the completion of this
magnificent structure ; and how He is ready to associate us
M'ith the merit of all the prayers and sacrifices and other acts
of religion which shall be perpetually performed therein.

Thus convinced that the work before us is the work of God —
that it is for God and His holy worship that we are building a
suitable abode — there is not, I am sure, a single individual
throughout the length and breadth of this extensive diocese
that will not contribute according to his means. I even flatter
myself with the conviction that a spirit of emulation will spread
over the entire population, that parish will rival parish, and
that individual will outvie individual in generosity.

I should wish it were in my power to appear amongst you
personally in your respective parishes, in order to enjoy the
gratification of receiving from you immediately this tribute,
and of expressing to you in person my gratitude on behalf of
religion. As this, however, will be impossible, consistently
with the other heavy and important duties I have to attend to,
I must be content to confide this duty to the clergy in their
respective localities, confidently relying as well on their zeal as
on the ready correspondence of the faithful. Besides, it is my
desire that the collection would be simultaneous throughout the
entire diocese, and I have made an arrangement with the clergy
that Sunday, the 27th inst., shall be the day set apart for the
purpose.

In conclusion, let me exhort you to join with me in praying
earnestly that the Almighty Giver of all good gifts may bestow
His blessing upon our efforts ; that Mary, the immaculate
Mother of God, may aid us by her powerful intercession ; and
that our diocesan patron, St. Mel, may grant us the advocacy
of his prayers. And, for ourselves, let us recollect that God
doth love the generous giver, and that He has promised a
hundred-fold reward, even in this world, for every sacrifice we
make in His name, and that, by erecting a temple to His wor-
ship on this earth, we are establishing for ourselves a claim to
be admitted into the everlasting tabernacles of heaven.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God,
and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all^
Amen.

►p John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of St. Martin, B. & C.
November 11th, 1853.

■220 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

First Lexten Pastoral of Dr. Kilduff.

■John, by the Grace of God and favour of the Apostolic See,
Bishop, 8fc., to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese
of Ardagh.

Dearly beloved Bretliren in Christ,

The time is now approaching when the Church annu ally-
calls upon her children, in the words of the Prophet Joel, " to
he converted to the Lord with their whole hearts, in fasting, in
weeping, and in mourning." — Joel, ii. 12. Filled with solici-
tude for the salvation of your immortal souls, for which we
shall have one day to render a most rigorous account, we exhort
and entreat you, dearly beloved brethren, to profit of this solemn
admonition — to commence the holy season of Lent by entering
on a course of penance, in order to satisfy the justice of Grod for
your sins, and to avert the judgments which you may have so
much reason to dread on account of them.

The necessity of penance, of which fasting was always con-
sidered to form an important part, has been, at all times, incul-
cated to fallen man, in order to obtain the forgiveness of his
•crimes, to appease the anger of God, and to preserve him from
relapsing into sin. In almost every page of their inspired
"writings, we find the prophets in the Old Law exhorting the
people to turn from their evil ways, to fast, and to do penance.
When Jonas, at the command of the Almighty, preached to the
people of Nineveh that, at the expiration of forty days, their
city should be destroyed, on account of the wickedness in which
they abounded, the Ninevites had immediate recourse to penance,
and the penance which disarmed the anger of God was turning
from their evil ways, fasting, and prayer. — Jonas, iii. In the
same spirit, we read that Judith and the Jews of Bethulia
humbled their souls in fasting and prayer, and thereby obtained
the protection of Heaven against the army of Holofernes. — •
Judith, ch. iv. The wicked Achab had recourse to fasting and
similar acts of penance to avert the judgments of God denounced
to him by the Prophet Elias.— 3 Kings, xxi. 27. When the
pious King Josaphat was about being attacked by his numerous
enemies, he betook himself to prayer, and proclaimed a fast for
all Juda, and he was immediately delivered from the dangers
with which he and his people were threatened. — 2 Paralip. xx.
3. Holy King David, in all trials and afflictions, had recourse
to penance, and declared that " his knees were weakened through
fasting." — Ps. viii. 24. In a word, the history of the just.

DR. KILDUFF, 221

in the Old Law, is the history of fasting and of similar austeri-
ties. They all fasted. They all exhorted the people to do
penance *' in fasting, in weeping, and in mourning," as ex-
pressed by the Prophet Joel. Under the New Law, this same
doctrine of the necessity of penance, of satisfying God's justice
for our sins, and of subduing the irregular inclinations of our
fallen and corrupted nature by voluntary acts of mortification,
is most clearly and forcibly inculcated. Our divine Redeemer
enforces this doctrine both by word and example. He com-
menced His public life by preaching unto His followers, " Unless-
you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish." — Luke, xiii.
3. He condemns the people of Corosain and Bethsaida for not
having profited by His preaching and done penance. — Luke, x.
13 And, again, He declares that the men of Nineveh, who, at
the preaching of the Prophet Jonas, did penance in sackcloth^
with fasting and humble prayer, shall rise up in judgment
against those sinners who do not renounce their sins and endea-
vour to expiate them in a similar manner — Luke, xi. 32.
Although our Divine Lord stood in no need of mortification for
Himself, since He was impeccable by nature ; nor did He require
to subdue any passions, since in Him all His senses and powers
were most perfectly obedient to reason and grace ; yet, to pur-
chase this remedy for us, and to give us an example, He was
pleased to lead a most mortified and painful life on earth.
" Christ did not please himself," says the Apostle (Romans, xv.
3), though His will was ever holy. And, as to exterior morti-
fications, He chose to be born in the coldest season of the year,
to be subjected to its severities and to so many corporal wants-
and privations, to be laid in a manger, in an open stable, de-
prived of those comforts which are not denied even to the most
miserable. Only eight days old, He would submit to the painful
ceremony of circumcision, and begin so soon to shed His sacred
blood. His hidden life was, most probably, spent in manual
labours. — Mark, vi. 3. When He left that state, He entered
into a wilderness, and there, without a house to shelter Him
from the inclemency of the weather, He spent forty days with-
out taking any nourishment, employing the power of His
divinity to preserve His life, but not to abate His sufferings or
the pain of hunger. His public life was composed of self-
denials, mortifications, and sufferings, in labours, journeys,,
fatigue, poverty, being ofteotimes in want of the common
necessaries of life, not having a place whereon to lay His head.
And in what sufferings and humiliations did He not close His
mortal life, all for love of us, and as the model for our imitation.
" Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should
follow his footsteps." — 1 Peter, ii. 21. " Behold," says the Apostle-

222 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

St. Paul, " iimi to whom we must conform ourselves." Yes, if
we wish to obtain a happy death, we must, during life, conform
ourselves, by mortification, unto this divine model. "We must
not seek after the gratification of our senses — no ; we must seek
after " the mortification of the flesh, and carry it always about
us." — 2 Cor. iv. 10. The Apostle does not tell us simply to
carry the mortification of Christ about us, but that we must
always do so ; that mortification is to be our constant companion,
in every place, and on every occasion. Yes, dearest brethren,
if we wish to be engrafted in Christ and to become truly His
members, we must now begin to bear His image, which is to be
formed in our souls by mortification. By the constant practice
of this virtue, we must every day be enabled more truly to say,
with the Apostle, " I live, now not I ; but Christ liveth in me."
— Galat. ii. 21. By the continual exercise of this virtue, we
must bear a resemblance to Christ, our divine model, if we wish
one day to reign with Him in the kingdom of His glory ; for
the Apostle says, " Whom he foreknew, he also predestinated
to be made conformable to the image of his Son." — Rom, viii.
29. This great Apostle of nations not only impresses on all the
necessity of Christian mortification, but, like a faithful disciple
of his divine Master, he has left us the most heroic example of
this great virtue. He has shown us the necessity we are under
of crucifying the flesh, with its vices and concupiscences, not
only to satisfy Grod's justice for the crimes we have committed,
" to fill up in ourselves those things that are wanting of the
sufferings of Christ," but also to preserve us from relapsing
into sin. His fasts and other austerities are so minutely de-
scribed in his Epistles, as scarcely to require illustration. Was
there ever a more generous or more perfect conversion than that
of this illustrious Apostle ? Who retracted his sins more than
he did ? Who detested and abhorred them more ? Who showed
a firmer resolution of never more abandoning the service of his
divine Master ? Did he not go so far as to bid defiance to all
the powers on earth, in hell, or in heaven to shake his con-
stancy ? And did he venture to walk in any other path except
that of mortification ? Does he himself not tell us that, as soon
as he was converted, he swore a perpetual war against flesh and
blood ? — Gal. i. 16. Does he himself not declare that he kept
his body not merely in subjection and obedience, but likewise
in slavery and punishments ? "I chastise my body, and bring
it into subjection ; lest perhaps, when I have preached to others,
I myself should become a castaway." — 1 Cor. ix. 26. And why
this, my brethren ? What necessity had St. Paul to practise
such rigorous austerities, who had heard himself pronounced, by
the oracle of Eternal Truth, a vessel of election ? Oh, it was

DR. KILDUFF. 223

Tjecausehe still experienced tliat violent jarring and repugnance
of his sensitive appetite to reason, of the flesh to the spirit, of
corrupt nature to grace, which had placed him under the neces-
sity of constantly mortifying himself, in order thereby to subdue
his passions, and keep them in subjection and obedience. *' For
I am delighted," he says, " with the law of God, according to
the inward man : but I see another law in my members, fighting
against the law of my mind, and captivating me in the law
of sin, that is in my members." — Eom. vii. 22, 23.

And we, my brethren, who have to contend with the same
enemies, we whose daily faults and transgressions are multiplied
beyond number, shall we be still insensible to the necessity of
mortification ? Oh, it is time to shake off this fatal lethargy;
"for as you have yielded your members, to serve uncleanness,
and iniquity unto iniquity," so now I conjure you, with the
Apostle, " to yield your members to serve justice, unto sanctifi-
cation." — Rom. vi. 19. We are all of us sinners, and, as such,
we have contracted the obligation of leading truly mortified and
penitential lives. The faithful, in the primitive ages of the
Church, were so fully convinced of the indispensable necessity
of doing penance to repair their past transgressions, that, as we
read in ecclesiastical history, they retired in crowds to the desert,
resolved to pass their days in the constant practice of self-denial,
fasting, and the like acts of mortification. For a single mortal
sin committed after baptism, they subjected themselves to a
weekly fast on bread and water for the space of three, seven,
ten, and fifteen years. And can we pretend that our lives are
more regular than were the lives of the primitive Christians ?
Is not the justice of God still unchangeably the same ? Are
works of mortification and penance less necessary in the present
age than in the early ages of the Church ? Alas ! we are per-
suaded that we have many ways offended God, and that, if our
sins be not remitted, we shall be eternally lost. In the mean-
time, we know not if our Sovereign Judge be 5^et appeased ; we
know not whether, in the language of ScrijDture, " we be worthy
of love or hatred." — Eccles. We are uncertain of the efficacy
of our past repentance ; and, consequently, we are uncertain
whether we be in the state of grace or in the state of reproba-
tion. Should not these reflections frequently alarm us ? Should
they not excite us to the continual practice of mortification all
the days of our life. Moreover, dearest brethren, you should
always bear in mind that, even if you depart this life in the
grace and friendship of God, but without having, by your
voluntary mortifications and acts of self-denial, discharged the
full amount of debt you owe to the justice of God, without
having made due reparation for the injury you have committed

224 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

against His sovereign majesty by your past offences, you must-
expect to be sentenced to a prison, from whicb you shall not be-
released until, as the Gospel says, " you shall have paid the last
farthing," that is, imtil you shall have fully satisfied for the^
least venial faidt you have been guilty of. With good reason,
therefore, has the holy Council of Trent declared, that "the-
w'hole life of a Christian ought to be a continual penance." —
Con. Trid. Sess. 14a.

Since, then, dearest brethren, we are bound to do penance-
all the days of our life, with what religious zeal and fervour
should we not devote ourselves to this important duty during-
the holy season of Lent, which is a time of general penance
throughout the entire Christian world ? " Behold, now is the-
acceptable time ; behold now is the day of salvation." — 2 Cor.
vi. 2. From these words of the Apostle it is plain that God
hath disposed certain seasons of greater favour and grace, which
we cannot promise ourselves to return at pleasure, and which it
should be our chief concern to make the best advantage of.
Such is the solemn and holy time of Lent, which is now
approaching. In this holy season, we, in a special manner,
commemorate the sufferings of Christ, and His sacred wounds-
plead loudly in our behalf for mercy and pardon. In the holy
season of Lent, the whole Church, in one common prayer and
penance, unites her supplications, fasts, watchings, and tears in.
imploring mercy for sinners. Our blessed Redeemer says :
" Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them." — Matt, xviii. 20. If the prayers
of so small an assembly of the servants of God offer an agree-
able violence to Him, and compel Him to show mercy, what
shall we say of the joint suffrages of the whole Church together
imploring and beseeching Him to disarm His justice and to be
merciful unto sinners ? Will not these cries more forciblj^
engage His compassion than did the prayers of Moses, by which
the Lord was appeased when he was resolved upon destropng
the people of Israel for the grievous crime into which they had
fallen. — Exod. The priests, during this holy season, mourn at
the foot of the altar, and offer the spotless "Victim of reconcilia-
tion for the sins of the whole world. They cry out unceasingly
to the Lord in these words of the prophet : " Spare, O Lord, spare
thy people ; and give not thine inheritance to be trodden under
foot." — Joel, ii. 17. All devout, religious persons, at this time,
redouble their ardour in their solitudes, setting no bounds to
their austerities, and pouring forth their tears and prayers to
God night and day, to move Him to be propitious to themselves
and all sinners. All devout Christians in the world join them,,
as far as their state and condition in life permit, in these exer-

DR. KILDUFF. 225

cises of mortification and penance. What may we not, then,
expect and hope for, dearest brethren, if, during this time, we
unite ourselves to them with a truly penitential spirit ? "Will
not their fervent prayers, their fasts and other penitential
austerities, add considerable weight to our poor endeavours ?
God, seeing His whole Church in mourning, both priests and
people mortifying their bodies with fasting and abstinence, and
pouring forth their souls before Him in fervent and humble
prayer, will be easily moved to pity and compassion on poor
sinners who pray, fast, and repent in union with them. Let
me, then, exhort and conjure you, dearest brethren, to lay hold
on this acceptable time, to profit of these days of salvation.

However anxious we might be to enforce a strict observance
of fasting and abstinence according to the ancient discipline of
the Church in this penitential season, we cannot be unmindful
of our poorer brethren, whose poverty, sufferings, and many
privations render almost their whole lives a perpetual Lent.
Influenced by the many calamities and afflictions which con-
tinue so heavily to press upon them, we are compelled to dis-
pense in the law of abstinence, and we do so in virtue of the
powers communicated to us by the Holy See, Whilst, there-
fore, the obligation of fasting remains in its full force, save in
cases excepted by the law, which your reverend brethren will
explain to your respective congregations, we permit the use of
flesh meat at dinner only on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays (except the Saturday of the Quatuor
Tenses), from the first Sunday of Lent, inclusive, to Palm
Sunday, inclusive. Flesh meat is prohibited during the first
and last weeks of Lent, and also on the other days not mentioned
above. Eggs are forbidden on Fridays, and on the first four
and last four days of Lent. Fish and flesh meat are never
allowed at the same meal. Milk and white meats of every
description are forbidden on Ash- Wednesday and on Wednes-
day and Friday in Holy Week. Should any, on account of
ill-health, or some other just cause, require a further relaxation,
they may have recourse to their respective parish priests, who
are hereby authorised to grant the necessary dispensation.

I am sure it is unnecessary to remind you, dearest brethren,
of the necessity of uniting with your fasting and abstinence an
interior spirit of penance, which consists of a hearty sorrow and
detestation of your past sins, with a firm resolution of sinning
no more. These interior dispositions constitute the soul and
essence of true penance ; without them your fasting and absti-
nence and other exterior acts of mortifications would be only a
body without life, a shadow or appearance without the reality
or substance. For observe that this is the penance which God

lb

226 DIOUESE OF ARDAGH.

Himself requires, when He calls on you, by the prophet Joel,
^'to be converted to him in your hearts, in fasting, and in
weeping, and in mourning." — Joel, ii. 12. Yes, what God
principally requires is the change of the heart and the sincerity
of its sorrow, without which your exterior acts would avail but
little. He again says, by the same prophet : " Rend your hearts,
and not your garments ; and turn to the Lord your God." —
Ibid. Y. 13.

To your fasting you should also join alms-deeds and prayer ;
for " prayer is good with fasting and alms, more than to lay up
treasures of gold : for alms delivereth from death, and the same
is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy." —
Job, xii. 8, 9. Yes, dearest brethren, nothing more powerfully
moves God to show mercy to us than if, for His sake, we show
mercy to others, by generously giving them a share of the tem-
poral goods we have received from His bounty. So dear to the
merciful heart of our Blessed Saviour is the practice of the
corporal works of mercy, that He declares He shall regard as
done to Himself what we shall have done to His suffering
members — the poor. — Matt. xxv. 40. Hence the Church, during
the holy season of Lent, ceases not to recommend that most
meritorious practice, repeating in her daily office these words
of the prophet Isaiah : " Break thy bread to the hungry, and
bring the needy and strangers into thy house : when thou shalt
see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh." —
Isaiah, Iviii. 7.

Whilst addressing you on the subject of alms-deeds, we
cannot neglect this opportunity of expressing to you our deep
and lasting gratitude on behalf of religion for the very generous
and praiseworthy manner in which you have responded to the
appeal lately made in aid of our Diocesan Church at Longford.
In your munificent contributions on that late occasion, we have
received the most ample proof of the spirit of charity by which
you are animated. We have only to exhort you to persevere in
the steady and constant practice of that God-like virtue. Let
not the cold and selfish spirit of the world prescribe the limits
of your generosity ; neither let any ungenerous diffidence in a
bounteous Providence prevent you from bestowing, with a
liberal hand, on the poor of Christ a share of your temporal
goods. Relying on the promise of Him who has said, " Give,
and it shall be given to you," take for your maxim the rule laid
down in the instructions which the holy Tobias gave to his son :
"According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much,
give abundantly : if thou have little, take care even so to bestow
willingly a little."— Tob. iv. 8, 9.

In conclusion, dearest brethren, let me exhort you to bring

DR. KILDUFF.

227

{forth the worthy fruits of penance during this holy season.
While you abstain from food, let it be your principal care and
study to abstain from every act displeasing to God. Endeavour,
by crucifying the flesh, with its vices and concupiscences, to
extinguish for ever in your hearts the reign of sin, and to
establish in its stead the most perfect reign of God's grace and
love. Keep constantly before your minds the sufferings of your
divine Redeemer. Let this example encourage and strengthen
you to submit cheerfully to the restraints that will be imposed
on you during this penitential season.

Remember that it is by suffering with Him here you shall
come to be glorified with Him hereafter, and that " the suf-
ferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory to come, that shall be revealed in you." — Rom. viii. 17, 18.

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
aU, brethren. Amen.

•^ John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of St. Fintan, Abbot,
February 17, 1854.

Second Appeal for Funds to complete the Cathedral.

John, hy the Grace of God, and favour of the Apostolic See,
Bishop, etc., to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese
of Ardagh.

Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ,

In the month of November, 1853, I ventured to appeal
to you in aid of the funds for completing our Diocesan Church
of Longford. You have responded to that appeal in a manner
worthy of the object and worthy of the great zeal for religion
for which you are so distinguished. Encouraged by the ex-
ample and exhortations of a devoted clergy, parish rivalled parish
in a combined effort of generosity, which speedily placed in my
hands the means of resuming the works which had been for a
considerable time suspended, and of pressing them forward with
unabated activity to the present moment. What shall I say in
return for so noble an example of religious generosity ? To
thank you is a matter of course and of duty : and I do thank
you, dearest brethren, with a heart overflowing with gratitude
and admiration. But beyond this, I feel bound to lift up my
heart to the Giver of all good gifts, and render to His divine
goodness the earnest homage of my gratitude. It is from Him
.all our good works should proceed, as it is by Him they should

228 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

all be finished. And we are specially admonislied that " unless^
the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."
I feel therefore bound to look up on high, and with thankful
reverence bless and praise the divine bounty for the noble dis-
positions with which He has inspired you, and of which you.
have given such signal proof.

But, dearly beloved brethren, I shall avail myself of your-
generosity for another purpose. It is to derive confidence from
it with respect to what remains to be done in bringing this
great diocesan work to a final completion. Yes, dearly beloved,
in all simplicity I will say it : your past generosity — so prompt,
so universal, and so effective — is to me a pledge for the future.
I know the dispositions to which I address myself. Priests and
people of this extensive diocese, I know how you feel in re-
ference to what is to us all an objeo^t of great common religious
interest, and I am persuaded that in applying to you for ad-
ditional assistance, it is only necessary for me to be the
interpreter of the dispositions that pervade the entire diocese,
and to appoint the means for giving them effect. You regard
the work in which we are engaged as the House of God, and
you are animated by the great thought which inspired holy
David of old : " A house is prepared not for man, but for God."
You regard it not as the church of a single parish, but as the
cathedral of the entire diocese. The vastness of its proportions,
and the splendour of its style, fill your souls with delight that you
have such an offering to present to the Most High for His dwell-
ing amongst us. So far from being dispirited by the length of
time that it has been in progress, this is to you a motive for
speeding the good work to its completion. And instead of
complaining of the repeated demands that have been made upon
you, your cheerful compliance with these demands only makes
you the more willing to give, by persevering assistance, a
crowning effect to your untiring generosity.

How admirable these dispositions, but how still more ad-
mirable their operation and results ! The word of a bishop
goes forth. It is taken up and repeated by a zealous and imited
clergy to their faithful flocks through the length and breadth
of an entire diocese. It finds a response in every breast ; and
all are animated with a common sentiment, feeling that the
demand is on the part of the Almighty. A tribute is set on
foot, every one contributing according to his means, even to the
widow, who, from her poverty, gives her humble mite. Ex-
hausted funds are again replenished ; and the good work, in
which all are interested, goes forward with as much spirit and
activity as if it had the treasure of a nation to carry it on.

I feel, therefore, the language of entreaty must not be used.

DR. KILDUFF. 229

Tt is wholly unsuited to your spontaneous generosity, which,
requires not to be evoked, but rather to be regulated in the
manner it is to be exercised. I, therefore, hope that Sunday, the
3rd day of February next, will be found a convenient day for
another joint effort in the way of a simultaneous collection in
every parish in the diocese. The clergy are requested to give
due notice of it to their respective flocks, and to make such
arrangements as they will consider necessary for the occasion.

They will explain to the faithful that, sharing in the erection
of the church, they will share also in all the good works that
will be performed in connection with it as long as it will exist,
and that the holy sacrifice will be specially celebrated for the
spiritual and temporal welfare of the subscribers every year,
within the octave of the Feast of St. Mel, the holy patron of
the diocese.

I will only add, that calculating on the results of that day,
I have not allowed the works to be suspended, nor in any way
retarded. I feel pressed, on the one side, by the necessity of
urging on the works to a speedy completion, as the old chapel
is a complete wreck ; and on the other, my confidence in the
results of the effort about to be made makes me feel as if the
means had already come to hand. Committing, then, all my
expectations to your generosity, I desire to remain, dearly be-
loved brethren in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His
Immaculate Mother, and under the invocation of our glorious
Patron,

Your ever devoted Servant in Christ,

►p John Kilduff.

Longford, January 14, 1856.

Third Appeal for the Completion of the Cathedral.

John, hy the Grace of God and favour of the Apostolic See,
Bishop, etc., to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese
of Ardagh.

Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ,

We read in the Gospel that our Divine Eedeemer,
preaching to the multitudes who had flocked around Him to
hear from His blessed lips the truths of eternal life, addressed
them as follows : " Which of you, having a mind to build a
tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are
necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it, lest after
he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that

230 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

see it begin to mock him, saying : This man began to build, and!
was not able to finish." — Luke, xiv. 28, 29, 30.

I confess, dearest brethren, I am constantly reminded of
this passage of the Gospel, as I behold our noble cathedral yet
unfinished. But why am I reminded of it ? Is it to reproach
myself, or cast a reproach upon the diocese ? Or, if exempt
from reproach, are we to resign ourselves to the misery of re-
flecting that the undertaking was too great, and that we must
give it up in despair, as a work we can never finish ? Far from
me such ideas, and God forbid I should lead you to such dis-
heartening conclusions. No, dearly beloved brethren ; but the
nearer this great diocesan work is to its completion, and the
more I am convinced that we can complete it, the more do I
desire to see it actually completed, that for the glory of God,
and for the honour of the clergy and faithful of the diocese, it
may stand forth in all its greatness and majesty, and proclaim
to the world that they who undertook it — the bishop, and the-
priests, and the people — who undertook this vast diocesan work,
undertook no vain or impossible project — they undertook it,.

AND THEY HAVE FINISHED IT.

With a vastness of conception, of which the work itself is-
destined to be an imperishable monument, the late illustrious-
bishop of this diocese projected the cathedral, not as a church
for the town or parish of Longford, but according to the proper
idea of a cathedral, as the church of the entire diocese. As
such he proposed it to the clergy and people, and it was as suck
the clergy and people adopted it. I had, therefore, only the
humble part to act, of walking in the path I found opened be-
fore me. Yiews were formed, plans were fixed, resolutions-
were adopted; earnestness and good- will everywhere abounded.
As soon, therefore, as I was placed in the position which I so
unworthily occupy amongst you, I felt I should be grievously
accountable if I did not at once avail myself of the co-operation
I saw ready for prosecuting the good and glorious work. I
therefore appealed a first time, and with a generosity as prompt
as it was universal, you placed in my hands the means of re-
sinning the works, which had for some time remained sus-
pended. I appealed a second time, and with a no less generous
effort you enabled me to proceed, without stop or stay, till the
church was opened and solemnly dedicated to divine worship.
And behold, dearly beloved brethren, I venture now to appeal
to you a third time : and will I say it, or will I leave it to you-
to say, that you will come forward a third time, and by a
crowning effort achieve the completion of the work ?

The works remaining to be done are chiefly those connected
with the front of the building — namely, the portico, with it»

DR. KILDUFF. 231

entablature, and the tower, wliicli, when erected, will, of course,
require to be furnished with a clock and bells. These works, so
essential to give to the building its proper expression and
character as a church-like structure, must necessarily cost a
large amount. They must be in due keeping with the colossal
proportions of the main building; and consisting of elaborately-
wrought details, they must be expensive even beyond their
magnitude. I might add several minor works, which are un-
avoidable, in order to give completeness to so large an edifice ;
and as nothing can be out of proportion, each of these will
make a large item in the outlay. I desire, dearly beloved
brethren, to be undisguised in stating the task we have before
us. I am persuaded that in doing so, so far from discouraging
you, I am presenting to you a motive to excite j'our zeal and
generosity. Such was the argument of holy David, when ani-
mating the people to contribute to the erection of the great
temple of Jerusalem : " The work, indeed, is great," he used to
say ; " a house is prepared not for man, but for God."

In making this demand upon the generosity of the diocese,
I am encouraged by two assurances, as gratifying as they are
unquestionable. The one is, that we can accomplish the task
of finishing our Cathedral ; the other, that we all wish and

EARNESTLY DESIRE TO SEE IT FINISHED.

We can accomplish this glorious task. It is a heavy task,
yet, with God's help, we are equal to it. If necessary, I could
show, by a simple process of calculation, which would divide
the expense over the Catholic propertj^ of the diocese, what a
small sum, what a mere trifle in proportion to our means, each
of us would have to pay in order to reaKse the required amount.
I prefer, however, simply stating the fact, which, I am sure,
no one will hesitate to admit, that we can finish our Cathedral.
I am aware that in almost every parish there are demands for
works connected with religion, in one form or other, in the
parish. Of this I am aware ; and I am exceedingly consoled
to witness a holy rivalry amongst you in your generous en-
deavours to promote the interests of religion, in every way that
your zealous clergy call upon you. jN^evertheless, I am per-
suaded that, without prejudice to local purposes, you wiU find
means to respond to this appeal. In this parish we have special
objects to promote, distinct from the Cathedral, yet the good
and generous people of Longford are preparing, with their
accustomed liberality, to give an example to the entire diocese,
in the effort now to be made for the Cathedral. I will, there-
fore, reiterate the fact — there is nothing impossible, nothing
even difficult in what we propose. Let us only divide the work
amongst us, and let every hand be reached forth with the of-
fering of " a cheerful giver," and the work is accomplished.

232 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

But am I sure of the dispositions I appeal to ? Can I forget
tlie past ? How ungrateful should I be if ever I should allow
the recollection to escape my mind of your noble generosity in
responding to the appeals I have already ventured to make to
you. And giving your contributions on these occasions, did
you not also give your affections and best good will ? Yes,
dearly beloved brethren, God was witness of your dispositions ;
and as these dispositions still continue, I feel that I am now
appealing to good hearts and willing minds. Oh, who could
say that he has no sympathy for so good and holy a work ?
Who could single himself out from amongst the thousands, and
thousands upon thousands of generous and pious souls who com-
pose the population of this diocese, and say, I care not about
the cathedral — it gives me no concern, I care not if it never be
finished. Grod forbid that we should have amongst us, through-
out the entire diocese, even a single individual so insensible to-
wards an object which engages so much the sympathy of us all.
But will it occur to anyone to say, I do indeed feel well dis-
posed in the good cause ; and if I could afford it, I would be
happy to contribute, but the trifle I can spare is nothing, and
will be nothing missed in the general effort of an entire diocese.
How fatal such a view, and at the same time how false ? If
such a pretence were good in one case it would be equally so in
every case, and thus a principle would be ruled which would
be fatal to the entire collection.

I need hardly remind you that it is by small sums exten-
sively contributed that large amounts are accumulated. Be-
sides, in a supernatural view, which is the proper view to take,
nothing is small which is given with proper dispositions. Need
I remind you of the widow's mite in the Gospel. " Rich men
cast their gifts into the Treasury ; a certain poor widow cast in
two brass mites." Our Saviour was looking on, and he observed
— " Yerily I say to you this poor widow had cast in more than
they all. For all these have of their abundance cast into the
offerings of God; but she of her want hath cast in all the
living that she had." — Luke, xxi. 1, &c. Here, beloved
brethren, is our example. In practising the lesson which it
teaches, each of us will sound his own heart in the presence of Him
who is the " searcher of all hearts." We will consider the
nature of the demand that is made upon us, that " a house has
been prepared, not for man but for God." If we have
abundance we will feel that we ought to give out of our abund-
ance, and if we have only the widow's mite we will not refuse
even it. Thus every parish contributing according to its means,
and every individual giving what his own spontaneous bounty
wiU urge him to give, you will once more present to heaven the

DR. KILDUFF. 233

•delightM spectacle of a " multitude of believers having but one
heart and one soul," towards an object of religion in which, as
members of the same diocese, you have a common interest and
concern.

I must take this occasion also, dearest brethren, of remind-
ing you that your wants and necessities, your weKare and pros-
perity, as well spiritual as temporal, are in constant remem-
brance in the. cathedral, and that since it was opened the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered, and shall continue to be
offered, on the Feast of our glorious Diocesan Patron, St. Mel,
for the living and deceased benefactors. Thus, by contributing
to the house of Grod here on earth, we are preparing tabernacles
for ourselves in the kingdom of heaven.

When Solomon had completed the Temple of Jerusalem, the
Lord, as we read in the Holy Scripture, appeared to him at
night, and said to him : "I have heard thy prayer, and I have

chosen this place to myseK for a house of sacrifice

^[y eyes also shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer
of him that shall pray in this place. For I have chosen, and
have sanctified this place, that my name may be there for ever,
and my eyes and my heart may remain there perpetually."
Paralip. vii, 12, &c. These are the consoling assurances that
await us when we also will have finished the house of the Lord,
choosing it for Himself as a house of sacrifice, of the one ador-
able sacrifice of the new dispensation. His eyes shall be open
and His ears attentive to the prayer of him that shall pray in
this place. Thus whilst the Holy Sacrifice shall continue to be
ofPered in your cathedral, that is, as long as it shall exist, your
welfare of soul and body, shall continue to be presented in
union with it before the throne of God, and the divine blessings
shall be poured down from on high to be diffused throughout
the length and breadth of this extensive diocese.

It only remains, then, that I fix the day for the collection,
which will be simultaneous in all the parishes of the diocese.
In the name of God, then, let it be Sunday, the 26th day of
February next, which will be the first Sunday of Lent.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and
the communication of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

4" John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul,
January 25th, 1860.

The foregoing Pastoral will be read in every church and
■chapel of the diocese, on Sunday, the 12th, and Sunday the 19th
February.

^ J. K.

234 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

First Appeal to the Laity of Ardagh for Contributions-

TOWARDS the ErECTION OF St. Mel's CoLLEGE.

John, hy the Grace of God and Favour of the Apostolic See^
Bishop, S^c, to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese-
of Ardagh.

Venerable Brethren of tlie Clergy and Dearly Beloved Brethren
of the Laity,

Our divine Redeemer in communicating to His Apostles the
heavenly mission He Himself had received from His Eternal
Father, addressed them as follows : " All power is given to Me
in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore, teach ye all nations,,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things, whatso-
ever I have commanded you : and behold, I am with you all
days, even to the consummation of the world." *

In this sublime commission our divine Lord guarantees a
double perpetuity to His Church — a perpetuity of His own ever
blessed assistance to His Apostles in the exercise of their
ministry ; and, consequently, a perpetuity of that ministry in
those who succeeding them would continue their mission to the
end of ages. Accordingly, as in the beginning, "He gave some
Apostles, and some Prophets, and other some Evangelists, and
other some Pastors and Doctors, for the .perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body o£
Christ." t So, also, has He continued to provide a never-failing
succession of divinely-appointed labourers in the various office»
of the ecclesiastical ministry.

But whilst vocations to a state so privileged and holy must
proceed immediately from God, it belongs to the episcopal office
to prove that those who present themselves are so called. It is
for the Bishops "appointed by the Holy Ghost to rule the
Church of God," J to watch and see that "no man take this
honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron
was." § No "hireling" must be allowed to climb over the
waU. All entrance must be by " the door," and by permission
of the duly- appointed " porter." || They alone who enter the
fold of Christ, in this manner are the shepherds, divinely com-
missioned, inheriting the spirit of the Supreme Pastor, and ever
ready like Him to lay down their life for the sheep He has-
purchased with His own blood.

* Matt, xxviii. 18, 19, 20. t Ephes. iv. 11, 12. % Acts, xx. 28. § Heb. iv. 4^
II John, X. 1, 2, 3.

DR. KILDUFF. 235^

The Holy Council of Trent * treats at considerable length
of this branch of episcopal duty, and recommends the establish-
ment of seminaries as the surest and most efl&cacious means of
insuring to the Church a succession of Ecclesiastics worthy of
their calling '" as ministers of Christ, and dispensers of the
mysteries of God." f This venerable assembly occupies itself
with this important subject, even to the extent of indicating the
means that might be resorted to in every diocese for the erection,
and support of these Diocesan Institutions, and in doing so,
presents them to the faithful as eminently entitled to the
religious generosity alike of the bishop, priests, and laity.

The sad history of our National Church bears dismal testimony
to the impossibility of carrying out the wishes of the holy
Council in times gone by. To preserve the true faith — the one
true faith — without which it is impossible to please God, J and to
hand it down to us, was the great merit of our forefathers. This
they did at all risks and at every sacrifice, and, blessed be God,,
we inherit this heavenly treasure through centuries of persecu-
tion, in which earth and hell were leagued against our holy
religion. These trying times are, indeed, gone by ; but they
left everything in ruins, and the present generation had to
create anew, if we may so say, all our Institutions of Religion
and Charity. But if "the earth was void and empty, the Spirit
of God moved over the waters." § Yes, the spirit of that wonder-
working faith, preserved and handed down pure and untainted,
put forth its energies and, creation-like, our institutions sprang
into existence and already cover the face of the land.

Venerable Brethren of the Clergy, and dearly beloved
Brethren of the Laity, you have shared in this glorious progress
of religion — everywhere throughout the diocese I witness, with
delight, the fruits of your pious generosity. And our Diocesan.
Cathedral ! What a monument ! Its colossal magnitude would
point it out as a national work ; yet, in a few years, by your
joint exertions, you have almost completed this magnificent
Church.

With such proofs of your piety and bounty I can well
anticipate how you will receive the announcement of a Diocesan
Seminary, in conformity with the prescriptions of the Holy
Council of Trent. Such an Institution is essential to the
complete organization of the diocese. Without it the aspirants
to the priesthood must be imperfectly educated, or they must go
elsewhere to seek an education which should be provided for
them at home. If, hitherto, we have been obliged to dispense
with such a resource, we have felt all the disadvantage of so

* Sess. xxiii. De Reform. Cap. xviii. + 1 Cor. iv. 1. :;■ Hebr. xi. 6. § Gen. i. 2^

236 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

great a want, and our experience of this want renders us tlie
more anxious to have it speedily supplied.

Besides, the benefits of the Seminary are to be extended to
lay students, that they may be afforded an education in accord-
ance with the enlightenment of the age, and be brought up,
moreover, in the knowledge and observance of their religion as
Catholics. Our life, as holy Job declares, is a warfare on earth.
The condition of the Church in this world places her continually
in the battle-field ; and the strifes of the age we live in, are
mainly those of adverse systems of education. "We are living
in a country in which great encouragement is given to systems
of education hostile to our faith, and opposed to the teaching of
the Holy Catholic Church, systems calculated to leave children
without religion in this world, and to blast their hopes of hap-
piness in the next. The Institutions called the Queen's Colleges
have been condemned, as you are aware, by the Holy See, as
intrinsically dangerous to the faith and morals of Catholic
students. It is our duty, it is the duty of the Pastors of the
Faithful in their respective parishes, and it is the essential duty
of parents with regard to their children, to preserve the rising
generation from these pernicious institutions. And whilst we
withhold them from such a danger, we should endeavour, at
the same time, to afford them a suitable literary education, com-
bined with a moral and religious training, which will make
them good Christians, and obedient and dutiful children of the
Holy Catholic Church.

Such is the work which I propose to your zeal and pious
generosity. You, Venerable Brethren of the Clergy, have
-already shown, by your munificent subscriptions, how highly you
appreciate its importance, and I am sure that your faithful
people, ever willing to correspond with the efforts of your zeal,
will co-operate with you in a holy rivalry for its accomplishment.

In thus seeking to obtain your combined co-operation, I
should earnestly wish to communicate to you all the conviction
with which my own mind is deeply impressed, namely — that
the task we have before us is not difficult of accomplishment.
The amount required is, indeed, considerable in itself ; but, it
could be easily shown, that a contribution, according to each
person's means, from all the parishes of the diocese, would more
than make up that amount. Let us, therefore, be animated
with the feeling that the undertaking we are about to engage
in, is one that we can accomplish ; that it will not even press
inconveniently upon any individual, and that all that is required
is a generous effort of the diocese at large.

And here let me anticipate a difficulty which possibly may
«tand in the way. It may occur to individuals to say, " the

DR. KILDUFF. 237"

amount I am able to give is but a trifle ; if I give it, it will
scarcely add anything to the general fund. If I withhold it, it
will not be missed from so large an amount." This mode of
reasoning may occur not only to individuals, but to the popula-
tion of an entire parish ; which, extending its influence, would
mar the general effort to a degree it would be difficult to cal-
culate. Instead, then, of a mode of reasoning which would be
fatal, let us say that the work before us is not the work of the
diocese generally, but of each individual in particular. Let
each one of us say, " I, too — I, in particular, am called upon
to have my share in this work ; to contribute, according to my
means, towards its execution." Even the widow, the poor
widow, will not exempt herself, recollecting the example of
the widow's mite in the Gospel, and feeling that her reward
shall exceed the reward of those who will have given more
largely, but from their abundance.

I should wish it were in my power to appear amongst you
personally in your respective parishes, in order to enjoy the
gratification of receiving from you immediately this tribute,
and of expressing to you, in person, my gratitude on behalf of
religion. As this, however, will be impossible, consistently
with the other heavy and important duties I have to attend to,
I must be content to confide this duty to our beloved clergy, in
their respective locaKties, confidently relying, as well on their
zeal, as on the ready correspondence of the faithful. The
clergy will, therefore, carry out the arrangements made at our
late conferences, for rendering the collection successful ; and
they will make the faithful acquainted with the time and
manner of giving in their subscriptions. They will, moreover,
explain to the faithful that, sharing in the erection of the
Seminary, they will share also in all the good works that will
be performed in connection with it, as long as it will exist ;
and that once every year the entire community of priests and
students will offer up their fervent prayers, with Solemn Office
and High Mass for the dead, in the collegiate chapel, for the
eternal repose of all the deceased contributors.

Again recommending this diocesan undertaking to your
zeal and pious generosity, I desire to remain, Venerable
Brethren of the Clergy, and dearly beloved Brethren of the
Laity, in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Immacu-
late Mother, and under the invocation of our glorious patron^
St. Mel.

Your ever devoted servant in Christ,

^ John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of St. Martin, B. and C.
November 11th, 1861.

.^38 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Second Appeal to the Laity of Ardagh for aid to finish
St. Mel's College.

St. Mel's Diocesan Seminary.

John, hy the Grace of God, and favour of the Apostolic See,
Bishop, 4'C-, to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese
of Ardagh.

Tenerable Bretliren of tlie Clergy and Dearly Beloved Brethren
of the Laity,

I addressed to you, as you recollect, a communication, under
date 11th !Rovember, 1861, informing you of my desire to erect
a Diocesan Seminary, and requesting your co-operation in so
desirable a work. You have responded in a manner worthy
of the object, and worthy of the great zeal for religion for
which you are so distinguished. Encouraged by the example
and exhortations of a devoted clergy, parish rivalled parish in
a combined effort which speedily placed in my hands sufficient
means to erect the walls of the building, and put on the roof.

This prompt and bountiful generosity, on your part, affords
the most gratifying evidence of how you appreciated the reasons
I ventured to submit to you for undertaking this great Diocesan
Institution. I thank you, dearest brethren, with a heart over-
flowing with gratitude and admiration, and I pray the Almighty
Giver of all good gifts to reward you a hundred fold.

It was too much to expect that a single effort would realise
the entire amoiuit necessary for the completion of so extensive
a work, Neither could I believe that I should find your
religious generosity exhausted by one contribution. I there-
fore, had no difficulty in directing the plans to be prepared on
a scale commensurate with the requirements of such a work,
and, whilst I was careful to avoid all extravagance in style, I
felt it at the same time due to the nature of the Institution and
the credit of the diocese that the building shoiJd exhibit a
suitable character of respectability. Guided by these views, I
freely expended the funds you placed at my disposal, and they
have enabled me to carry forward the good work so far.

Having done so much, and finding my hands empty, I felt
bound to deliberate, and ask myself the question, was I to pro-
ceed further, or was I to order the works to be suspended. For
the moment, I had to be myself the interpreter of your views
^nd wishes. I recollected the spirit with which you hailed the
project, when I announced it to you. I felt as if the diocese

DR. KILDUFF. 239

"was pledged to it, and tliat you would all feel the reproach,
-equally as myself, if the passer-by could say, " this man began
to build, but he was not able to finish." I, therefore, decided
that the works should go on without stop or delay, and that I
was more than warranted in pledging the diocese for the means
of meeting the expenses.

I am now to test whether I have resolved rightly or wrongly
in this determination — whether I have overrated your generous
zeal, or only calculated, at a due estimate, that religious bounty
of which I have already had so many and such magnificent
proofs. This I am to know by the appeal I now make for a
renewed effort, in the form of a general collection, as before,
throughout the diocese. I shall not disguise from you that the
larger share of our task remains yet to be accomplished, and
that if you have been generous already, we cannot help asking
you to be still more generous in the present instance. I am
encouraged to believe that you will be so. The past guarantees
the future, and the noble generosity which has carried forward
this diocesan work to so advanced a stage, within so short a
time, is an assured earnest that you will not cease to aid it
forward, till we have the happiness of seeing it completed.

It is unnecessary to expatiate on the importance of such an
institution in the diocese. Its high and holy destination pro-
claims the momentous interests it involves, and the vital in-
fluence it is to exert on the religion of our people for generations
to come. The age we live in is pre-eminently an age of progress.
Whilst all things else move onward, the education of our
clergy must not remain stationary, and it is only in a Seminary
suitably appointed and properly regulated that the young
aspirant to the sacred ministry can have the advantage of an
education which, with a liberal and accomplished culture of
mind, will combine a training of his dispositions and a formation
of his habits in conformity with his sacred vocation. In con-
tributing, therefore, to the erection of a seminary, such as we
are endeavouring to establish, you will have the merit of pro
pagating the priesthood of the diocese, and, at the same time,
securing for them an education, which, with the Divine blessing,
will render them worthy of their august mission as " Ministers
of Christ and dispensers of the Mysteries of Grod."

But, as I have already informed you, the seminary is not
destined for ecclesiastics alone. It is intended to provide fo.-
the education of lay pupils besides. In this we have a double
object to attain — a suitable education according to the require-
ments of the day ; and to withold, moreover, our youth of the
higher and middle classes from educational establishments
«condemned by the Supreme Head of the Church, as dangerous to

240 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

the faith and morals of the pupils who would frequent them.
The aim of these establishments is to put asunder what Go A
hath joined in the formation and constitution of the human
mind. They would divide man's individuality, and treat him
as if he had one capacity for secular knowledge and another,
quite independent, for moral and religious culture. And whilst
they would allow, forsooth, the opportunities for religious
instruction to those to whom — without limit — the commission
of teaching was divinely confided, they would not allow their
interference, much less their control, in the other departments
of education. Such a distinction would be sure to lead to the
most disastrous results. It would poison the very sources of
education, and under the pretence of a boon, it would be sure
to rob us of that Faith which — through Grod's mercy — we have
preserved through centuries of persecution and suffering. Yes,
the most prominent design and purpose of those condemned
establishments is to separate the people from their pastors, and
to break up that union which, despite all the efforts of earth and
hell to the contrary, has preserved amongst us, without taint or
variation, the Faith once delivered to the Saints.

You will, therefore, be consolidating and perpetuating this-
holy union, and you will be securing to your children, and your
children's children for generations to come, the blessings of a
first-class literary education, and, with it, the priceless advan-
tage of a moral and religious training according to the doctrines
and observances of the One True Faith, without which it
is impossible to please Grod ; and of the One True Church, out
of which there is no salvation.

We do, therefore, calculate with confidence upon your
bountiful aid to proceed with a work so fraught with results of
such importance to religion amongst us. Every one can give
something, and no one will be found to say, I shall give nothing.
The result we hope for at your hands depends not on the large
contributions of the few, but rather on the small contributions
of the many. At the same time, they who can give largely
will contribute according to the means with which God has
blessed them, whilst those in humble circumstances, even to the
poor widow, will not withhold their mite. We are to recollect
that God regards not so much the hand as the heart — not so
much the amount given as the intention and good desire of
the giver.

I feel, however, the language of entreaty must not be used.
It is wholly unsuited to your spontaneous generosity, which
requires not to be evoked, but rather to be regulated in the
manner it is to be exercised. I, therefore, hope that the first
Sunday of Advent, the 29th day of November, will be found

DR. KILDUFF. 241

a convenient day for another joint effort in tlie way of a simul-
taneous collection in every parish in the diocese. The clergy
will please read this letter the two previous Sundays, to their
respective flocks, and add such observations as their own zeal
and piety will suggest. They will, moreover, explain to the
faithful that, sharing in the erection of the seminary, they will
share also in all the good works that will be performed in
connection with it, as long as it will exist ; and that the entire
community of priests and students will annually offer up their
fervent prayers, with Solemn Office and High Mass in the
Collegiate Chapel, for the eternal repose of all the deceased
contributors.

" The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.

*^ John Kilduff.

Longford, Feast of St. Martin, B. and C,
November 11th, 1863.

Lenten Pastoral for 1864 — Secret Societies condemned.

John, hy the Grace of God and favour of the Apostolic See,
Bishop, 8fc., to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese
of Ardagh.

Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ,

It becomes our duty to remind you of the near ap-
proach of those merciful days, when the Church annually calls
upon her children, in the words of the prophet, ** to be converted
to the Lord with their whole hearts, in fasting, in weeping,
and in mourning." — Joel, ii. 12. Filled with solicitude for
the salvation of your immortal souls, we exhort and entreat you,
dearly beloved brethren, to respond, during the holy season of
Lent, to that solemn invitation to repentance ; with the Apostle
we exhort you " that you receive not the grace of God in vain ;"
for " behold, now is the acceptable time — behold, now is the
day of salvation." — 2 Cor. vi.

The knowledge, love, and service of God, and the salvation
of his immortal soul, being the great end of every Christian,
should form the subject of his most serious consideration at all
times, and, more especially, during the penitential season on
which we are now entering. Want of consideration on spiritual
matters is the bane of the world. " With desolation," says the
Prophet Jeremias, " is all the land made desolate, because there

17

242 DIOCESE or ardagh.

is none ttat consideretli in the heart." — xii. 11. How many a
sinner would be stopped in the very commission of crime, did
he but reflect for a moment on the presence of God — did he but
remember that the Omnipotent Being whom he was offending,
and who by a single act of His will could hurl him into the
abyss of hell, was standing by him, a spectator of his guilt.
So, too, of the thought of salvation. If Christians had a proper
idea of it, and kept this idea before their minds when assailed
by the world, the devil, or the flesh, they would never sin. For
this we have the assurance of the Holy Grhost himself, recorded
in the inspired volume : " Memorare novissima tua, ct in ceternnm
non peccahk — Remember thy last end, and thou ehalt never sin."
— Eccl. vii. 40. Yes, our last end — or, what is the same, our
eternal salvation — is, in the designs of God, to be the grand
leading thought of our existence. It is the most important
consideration by far which should occupy our minds during our
mortal pilgrimage — for, " what doth it profit a man if he gain
the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul." — Matt,
xvi. 26. And yet, how few think of God, or of referring their
actions to Him ? How few really think of the " one thing
necessary," the salvation of their immortal souls ? How few
keep before their minds the thought that was ever present to
St. Teresa ? " There is but one God, one death, and one soul
for each," she would exclaim ; " there is but one God ; and if
we forfeit His friendship, to whom else shall we have recourse ?
one death ; and if we die badly, how can we repair the loss ?
one soul, which once lost, is lost for ever." Such was the re-
flection which weaned that great saint from all of earth that
was earthly ; and the same it is that forms the greatest torment
of the damned. " iVbs insensati ! ^' they exclaim in thrilling
accents of despair, " Nos insensati — fools that we were ! " We
knew that there was but one God, and we have lost Him ; we
knew that we could die but once, and we have died attached
to sin, and at enmity with that God who would have saved us ;
we knew, indeed, that we had but one soul, which once lost,
must suffer for ever ; and yet, through our own fault, we have
lost it. " Nos insensati — oh ! fools that we were ! "

Dearly beloved brethren, you have yet time to convince
yourselves, by the sad experience of others, that the great, the
only affair of a Christian is his eternal salvation. You have
yet time to secure your election by the Great Judge in the Valley
of Josaphat. Will you neglect this grace given you by your
merciful Father ? Will you be so blind to your own dearest
interests as to entail on j^ourselves everlasting woe, by devoting
all your energies to the service of this perishable world, and
neglecting the "one thing necessary " — your eternal salvation ?

DR. KILDUFF. 243

1^0, no ! Resolve with God's assistance, to resist His graces no
longer. Though you may have hitherto laboured entirely for
the flesh and for the world, and done little or nothing for the
soul or for Grod — still it is not yet too late to amend. Begin
at once and despair not, but do manfully. That merciful God
^who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be con-
verted and live, now invites and exhorts you, as He exhorted
the Jews of old, to be converted and to do penance. He gives
you the same consoling assurance which He gave to them —
"thai by a speedy conversion and a sincere repentance, you may
still escape the dreadful punishments due to sin : " Be con-
verted and do penance for all your iniquities, and iniquity shall
not be your ruin." — Ezek. xviii. 30. If then there be any who
have hitherto neglected their religious duties, or have proved a
disgrace to the religion they profess by the immorality of
their lives, we now exhort and conjure them not to receive the
grace of God in vain — to lay hold on this acceptable time — to
^profit of these days of salvation. If any have been living the
victims of the degrading and debasing vice of drunkenness, which
is to many the fruitful source of wretchedness in this world and
the cause of their everlasting misery in the next, to them we
address the same exhortation. We know, and we acknowledge
with the liveliest gratitude to our good God, that the great
body of our faithful people are ever ready to yield a submissive
and willing obedience to the voice of the Church, yet we cannot
conceal from you the bitter anguish and affliction which fill our
soul, on learning that some evil-disposed men, in certain dis-
tricts of this diocese, have been endeavouring to corrupt the
flock committed to our care, by drawing unwary and unre-
flecting persons into secret societies, which the laws of God and
of the Church condemn. Sacrilege at the altar, drunkenness,
theft, robbery, premature and ignominious deaths on the scaffold,
the shedding of innocent blood by night and by day, the
separation of husbands from their wives, and of children from
their parents, are the effects, and the only effects, these societies
have hitherto produced. "We have again and again repeatedly
implored, and we now again implore such of our people as be-
long to these accursed societies, to disconnect themselves from
them at once and for ever ; until they do so, they are dis-
obedient children of the Catholic Church, and as such justly
excluded from all participation of the sacraments. In your
wonted zeal and persevering co-operation, venerable brethren
of the clergy, we rely for assistance in rooting out this baneful
•evil from among our people. You will be instant in season
•and out of season in bringing home to the minds of all
•a deep conviction, that combinations opposed to the laws of God

244 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and the Church, no matter what name they may assume, so far
from effecting any good, are always, wherever they exist, most
destructive of every virtue, most injurious to morals, and most
dangerous to the peace of society at large. You will denoxmco
the wicked promoters of these most mischievous societies as the
greatest enemies of their religion and country — disgracing the
former as far as man can do, and retarding the progress of the
latter in all useful improvements. Through the bowels of the
mercy of Jesus Christ, we exhort and conjure them to open their
eyes to their perilous condition, to the wide-spread scandal they
are giving, and to seek a reconciliation with their God during
this acceptable time, lest his -wrath may come on a sudden, and
in the time of vengeance He may destroy them.

The Lenten Regulations will be the same as have been
observed in this diocese during the Lent of the past year.
Availing ourselves of the dispensing power communicated to us
by the Holy See, we permit the use of flesh meat on all the
Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays ; on all Thursdays, except the
first Thursday^ and Thursday in Holy "Week ; on all Saturdays,
except the first Saturday, the Saturday of the Quatuor Tenses,
and Holy Saturday. The use of flesh meat is prohibited during
the first four days and the last four days of Lent, as well as on
the Wednesdays and Fridays in the other weeks, and on the
Saturday of the Quatuor Tenses — the 20th of February. It is
to be observed that on those days in which flesh meat is allowed,
fish is not permitted at the same meal. Eggs are allowed on
all days except the first and last Wednesdays and all the Fridays
in Lent. Milk and white meats are allowed on every day except
Ash Wednesday, Spy Wednesday, and Good Friday ; and on
Sundays white meats and eggs may be used at every meal.
Should anyone, on account of ill health or some other just
cause, require a still greater relaxation, they may have recourse
to their spiritual directors, who are hereby authorised to grant
such further dispensation as they may conscientiously deem
necessary. The clergy, in their opening Lenten Instructions,
will fully explain the nature of the fast of Lent, and the causes
which excuse from the observance of the fast or of the
abstinence.

Whilst the Church, through compassion for the infirmities
and sufferings of her children, has permitted the rigour of her
laws to be relaxed in their favour, her doctrine on the necessity
of penance, self-denial, and mortification continues imchanged.
She therefore expects that those who may avail themselves of
the dispensation now granted will compensate for the lenity with
which they are treated by more fervent and frequent prayers,
by Liberal alms to the poor, and by the exercise of the other

DR. KILDUFF. 245

spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The pious faithful
endeavour, at least during Lent, to hear Mass every day. We
•earnestly exhort all, whenever circumstances permit, to assist
devoutly at that adorable sacrifice — to offer up, in union with
the priest and in atonement for their sins, the blood of our
Mediator, Christ Jesus, which " cleanseth us from all iniquity."
During this season of penance and prayer, the Church, in the
sacred office recited by her ministers, will commemorate daily
the sufferings and death of our divine Lord. The same should
be the subject of your frequent and pious meditations, and with
that view we strongly recommend the excellent devotion of the
Stations of the Cross. We also earnestly desire that public
evening prayers be offered up, at least in the principal church of
each parish, at which the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin will be
recited as usual ; in the remote rural districts it may be recited
in common by each family. Your fasts and prayers will be more
acceptable in the sight of God, and will draw down more
■abundantly the choicest blessings of heaven when accompanied
by works of mercy and charity. These works may be practised
in various wa5^s — visiting the sick, comforting the afflicted, in-
structing the ignorant, bringing the erring to repentance, giving
alms to the poor, according to your respective abilities. "Alms,"
says holy Tobias, " delivereth from death, and the same is that
which purgeth away sins and raaketh to find mercy and life
everlasting." — Tob. xii. 9. Hence the Church, during the holy
season of Lent, ceases not to recommend these most meritorious
works, repeating in her office the words of the prophet Isaiah :
*' Break thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and
strangers into thy house ; when thou shalt see one naked, cover
him, and despise not thine own flesh." — Isaiah, Iviii. 7. "We
take this oj^portunity of most gratefully acknowledging the
generous contributions sent to us by our devoted clergy and
faithful people towards the completion of St. Mel's College, and
we hmnbly pray that the good and merciful God may bestow
on the contributors his choicest graces and blessings. Whilst
we have no doubt but you will continue to take that lively
interest in our Diocesan College which it so justly claims,
permit us to observe that the utmost vigilance of the clergy is
required in watching over the religious and secular training,
and in preserving in their integrity the faith and morals of the
youth of both sexes in their respective parishes. Unceasing
efforts are made to subvert the religious principles or weaken
the piety of the rising generation, chiefly by dangerous systems
of education. We had thought that in this diocese we were
comparatively free from the dangers and abuses arising from
the mixed system followed in the National Schools : but recent

246 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

complaints prove to us tliat even here we are not secure from;
the evils inseparable from its operation. All schools, therefore,,
frequented by Catholic children shoidd be regularly and care-
fully visited by the clergy, with the view of exercising a strict
supervision over these schools, and of imparting to the pupils-
sound religious instruction on the doctrine and discipline of the
Holy Catholic Church ; and in no instance should Catholic-
children be permitted to frequent schools in which their faith
or piety may be endangered.

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
all, brethren. Amen.

>^ John Kilduff..

Longford, Feast of the Purification of the B.V.M.,
2ncl February, 1864.

John, hy the Grace of God and favour of the Ajjostolic See,.
Bishop, etc., to the Catholic Clergy and Laity of the Diocese^
of Ardagh.

Dearly Beloved Brethren in Christ,

It becomes our pleasing duty to have promulgated the
Encyclical letter of our Holy Father, Pope Pius IX., dated the
8th of December of last year, and addressed to all the bishops-
of the Catholic Church throughout the world. The Encyclical,,
though addressed to bishops only, will be explained by our
beloved clergy to their faithful flocks ; for the voice of the Pope-
is the voice of the Yicar of Christ, and in hearing him we hear
Him that sends him. In this letter the Holy Father announces
the condemnation of eighty propositions regarding the prevail-
ing errors of modern times, and proclaims a General Jubilee to»
the Christian world. This act of his Hohness is a noble protest
against the perverse and infidel doctrines which, circulated hy
an anti-religious Press, are sapping the foundations not only
of revealed religion, but also of public order and civil govern-
ment. It proves to all the vitality of the Church of God, and
her irreconcilable hatred to every species of error, no matter how
masked by false theology, false philosophy, false politics, or any
other garb by which the spirit of falsehood seeks to deceive poor
souls and plunge them into perdition. As might be expected,
this great act of the Holy Father has aroused the indignation of
infidels, revolutionists, and heretics ; it has produced amongst
those turbulent men a commotion like to the raging of a tem-
pestuous sea. They see that their wicked designs have been
unmasked, their insidious plots revealed, and their perverse
principles condemned, whilst, at the same time, the truth that

DR. KILDUFF. 247

is eternal has been vindicated. Hence, they fret and rage, and,
were it in their power, they would overthrow the foundations of
Christ's Church, and put an end to the reign of Christ upon
earth. As for us, glorying, as we do, in the rich inheritance of
the Faith, and devotedly attached to the See of Peter, the centre
of Catholic unity, we meekly bow to and joyfully receive the
decisions of the supreme Pontiff ; what he condemns we too
condemn, and what he defines we believe. Forgetful of the
perils of his own situation, nay, in the very midst of the storm,
while winds and waves are in commotion, and accumulating
dangers surround him, the Pope, concerned only for the general
welfare, rises to the dignity of his sublime office, and with up-
lifted voice proclaims aloud the eternal truths by which alone
Christianity can be saved and society preserved. What a
glorious privilege, what a happiness, to be under the guidance
of that shepherd who was commissioned by Christ to confirm
his brethren, to feed both lambs and sheep. But alas ! how
miserable is the condition of those who, separated from the true
Church, are left to the delusions of private judgment, and are
tossed about on the waves of doubt and unbelief. If we look to
a neighbouring country, which boasts of its material prosperity
and superior enlightenment, what a sad example of the fruits of
such separation do we behold ? She has thrown off her alle-
giance to Christ's Vicar, and, relying on the arm of the civil
power, has set up an isolated church of her own, and what is
the spectacle she presents to thinking men to-day ? A so-called
church without a creed ; a liturgy without sacraments ; a
Bible Christianity which yet refuses to recognise the Bible as
the inspired Word of God. By the same secular authority
which gave her existence, matrimony, which sanctiiSes the
ties of social life, is arbitrarily dissolved. Baptism, the last
relic of Christianity she clung to, is legally declared an
idle ceremony. The Bible itself, on which she so long relied
as her sole guide, is blasphemously pronounced by her own
teachers to be nothing more than a mere fable. In Essays
and Reviews, the ablest teachers in her ministry have assailed the
most venerable doctrines of Christianity, and declared justifica-
tion and original sin, hell and the eternity of punishments,
and even the inspiration of Scripture open questions which
may be combated with a safe conscience ; and the Privy Council,
her last Court of Appeal, has decided that this is not contrary to
the orthodox teaching of the English Church. Like the mythic
monster of the fable, the children of her own bowels devour and
destroy her. Torn by the jarring discords of rival sectaries,
without a fixed creed or principle of unity and cohesion, she has
split into countless fragments — divided and sub-divided, till her

248 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH,

sects can be counted by the Hundred. One by one sbe has aban-
doned the fundamental dogmas of Christianity, and now, a miser-
able pandemonium of opposed and warring sects — who, among
them, might be said almost to deny everything and believe no-
thing she offers a pitiable spectacle of the folly and delusion of
those who abandon the true light for the treacherous guidance
of mere reason. Before the rationalistic writers of Essays ami
Revieics, and the sceptic bishop of the Zulu Caffirs, her guides
and pastors retire confounded and dismayed. They cannot
argue, they dare not condemn. As dumb dogs who cannot
bark, they abandon the flock to be devoured by the wolves.
As we look on this sad and awful picture, and think upon the
end to which it leads, surely we cannot render sufficient thanks
to the Author of all good gifts for having confided us to the
care of an infallible guide, and for having made us children of
the Holy Catholic Church, the "pillar and ground of Truth."
Yes ! we shall for ever love this holy Church, the faithful
Spouse of Christ, we shall hear and obey her voice ; for those
who will not hear the Church are, by command of our divine
Lord, to be regarded as heathens and publicans.

Besides condemning the prevailing errors of the age, our
Holy Father in his Encyclical Letter calls upon all his faithful
children throughout the world, to raise their hands and unite
their hearts with his in fervent supplications to the throne of
grace and mercy for the sjairitual and temporal wants of man-
kind, and by mortification and penance to appease the anger of
God, provoked by the sins of men. To encourage repentance,
and in order that the prayers to be offered up may proceed
from purified and grateful hearts, he opens the treasures of the
Church, and in virtue of the power of binding and loosing
which he has received from Christ, he offers a Plenary Indid-
gence, in the form of a Jubilee to the penitent sinner ; that is,
the entire remission of the temporal punishment due to sin
according to the dispensation of divine justice, after the guilt
of sin has been remitted by the Sacrament of Penance. The
infinite merits of Christ, our Saviour, are applied to this effect,
and the good works, labours, and sufferings of the martyrs and
other saints, which derive their value from His grace, are
offered up in union with them, that our deficiencies may be
supplied from their abundance.

We, therefore, by virtue of the authority and instructions
conveyed to us in the aforesaid Encyclical Letter of the 8th
December last, declare that the Jubilee will commence on
Monday, the first daj'- of May, and will continue during the
whole of said month, in the following parishes of the Diocese of
Ardagh, viz., Gallen and Reynagh, Clonmacnoise, Moat-Colry,

DR. KILDUFF. 249

St. Mary's, Ballymahon, Cashel, Killashee, Ardagh, Moydow,
Templemichael and Ballymacormick, Mostrim, Clonbroney,
Drutnlish, Columbkille, Abbeylara, Ballymachugh, Dromard,
Kiltogbert, Killenumera, Mohill, Kilronan, and Kiltubrid. In
the other parishes of the diocese, viz. : Wheery and Tisaran,
Milane and Ballynahown, Tashiney, and Carrickedmond,
Legan, Rathcline, Killoe, Clongish, Kilcommock, Rathaspick
and Ruspagh, Street, Granard, Drumlumman, N. et Lougduff,
Scrabby, and Columbkille E., Aughavass, Cloone, Fenagh,
Annaduii, Grorlitteragh, ]VI urbane, and Bornacoola, it will
■commence on Thursday, the 1st of June, and will continue up
to Friday, the 30th of said month, inclusive. The following
are the conditions for gaining the Jubilee, which must all be
fulfilled within the appointed month. During that month the
faithful must : —

1. Confess their sins and reverently receive the most Holy
Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the case of children who have
not yet made their first Communion, his Holiness has em-
powered confessors to dispense with the reception of the
Eucharist. We are also authorised to state that, for those who
may not have yet complied with their Easter duty, the same
Communion will sufiace to fufil the Paschal precept and to
gain the indulgence of the Jubilee.

2. Visit twice any of the Churches or Chapels of the parish
in which they reside, and there pray with devotion during some
«pace of time.

3. Fast on the "Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of some
one week within the month.

4. Give some alms to the poor, each one according to his
devotion.

On all Sundays and Holidays of obligation during the month
of the Jubilee, the ofiiciating priest, in each of the Churches
iand Chapels of the Diocese, kneeling at the foot of the Altar,
will recite, after the last Mass, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin,
■and the anthem, " Hail, Holy Queen."

Persons travelling by land or sea during said month, can
gain the Jubilee by fulfilling the aforesaid conditions on their
Teturn to their respective parishes.

Those who are in prison, or prevented by any corporal
infirmity or other impediment from performing the works
above mentioned, or some one of them, may have them com-
muted by their confessor for other works of piety which they
shall be able to accomplish, or may defer them to another
time.

We have now, dearly beloved brethren, the most favourable
opportunity of being reconciled with God, and of satisfying His

250 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

justice for our past sins and transgressions. " Behold, now is;
the acceptable time ; behold, now is the day of salvation." —
2 Cor. vi. 2. From these words of the Apostle it is manifest
that God hath disposed certain seasons of greater favour and
grace ; and since we cannot promise ourselves that they will
return at pleasure, we should make it our chief study to avail
ourselves of them to the utmost, while we may. Such is the-
solemn and holy time of the Jubilee, which is now approaching.
The Church, during this holy season, with a view of bringing-
back the erring from the way of perdition to the paths of truth
and of justice, gives to her priests almost unlimited power in
the tribunal of penance ; at this time they can absolve from
nearly all the reserved sins and censures. We, therefore, exhort
and conjure you to lay hold on this acceptable time, to profit of
these days of salvation. For many this may be the last call to
repentance ; for many so favourable an opportunity of promoting
the eternal interests of their immortal souls may never again
present itself. Hasten, then, beloved brethren, to avail your-
selves of the spiritual treasures now offered you ; come forward
in these days of mercy and sue for pardon. " Be converted and
do penance for all your iniquities, and iniquity shall not be your
ruin." — Ezech. xviii. 30.

"VVe take this occasion to recommend ourselves to your pious^
prayers, whilst we cease not to pray for you, and to beseech
the God of Peace Himself to sanctify you in all things, that
your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blame-
less in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

*^ John Kilduff.

Longford,
Feast of the Annunciation of the B. V. M.
25th March, 1865.

P.S. — Facultates habent confessarii. Imo — Dispensandi
super communione cum pueris qui nondum ad primam commu-
nionem fuerint admissi. 2do — Praedicta opera si adimpleri non
possint, in alia pietatis opera commutandi, vel in aliud proxi-
mum tempus prorogandi. 3tio — Yota et iam jurata et Aposto-
licae sedi reservata (castitatis, religionis, et obligationis quae a
tertio fuerit acceptata, seu iu quibus agatur de praejudicio tertii,
semper exceptis, necnon iis quae praeservativa a peccatis noncu-
pantur, nisi commutatio eundem finem aequo attingat) in alia
pia opera dispensando commutare, injuncta semper poenitentia
salutari, et aliis quae de jure sunt ingimgenda. 5to — Absol-
vendi, in foro conscientiae, et hac vice tantum. ab omnibus pec-
catis et censuris a jure vel ab homine, etiam ordinario vel sedi
Apostolicae reservatis, iis exceptis de quibus loquitur Bene-

DR. KILDUFF. 251

dictus XIY. in Constitutione quae incipit " SacramentunL
Poenitentice " nimirum qui complices fuerint yel denunciare-
teneantur, uecnon et aliis qui nominatim excommunicati, sus-
pensi, et interdicti, seu in aKas sententias et centuras incidisse
declarati fuerint praeterquam si obligationi suae satisfecerint..
Quod si intra praefinitum spatium judicio confessarii satisfacere
non potuerint, absolvi possunt ad effectum dumtaxat as sequendi
indulgentias hujus Jubilaei injuncta obligatione satisfaciendi
statim ac potuerint.

4- J. K.
Datum die et anno quibus supra.*

The following description of the blessing of St. Mel's
Cathedral, thirty years ago, written by Dr. Kilduff, and ex-
tracted from his Diary, cannot fail to be interesting : —

"On Wednesday, September 24th, 1856, the Cathedral
Church of the diocese of Ardagh, in the town of Longford, was
blessed and set apart for divine worship, under the invocation
of St. Mel, the patron of the diocese. The officiating prelate,
who also sang the High Mass, was his Grace the Most Rev. Dr.
Dixon, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
The Most Rev. Dr. Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of
Ireland, and Delegate of the Holy See, gave benediction of the
Most Adorable Sacrament, and the Right Rev. Dr. Moriarty,
Bishop of Kerry, delivered the dedication sermon.

" The following is the list of prelates who were present on.
the occasion : —

" Most Rev. Dr. Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of

Ireland, and Delag. Apost.
" Most Rev. Dr. Dixon, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of:

All Ireland.
*' Most Rev. Dr. M'Gettigan, Bishop of Raphoe.
" Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Kilmore.
*• Most Rev. Dr. Cantwell, Bishop of Meath.
" Most Rev. Dr. Denvir, Bishop of Down and Connor.
"Right Rev. Dr. M'Nally, Bishop of Clogher.
" Right Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Elphin.

* These pastoral addresses have been reproduced here, not on account of
any real or supposed originality of thought, superior arrangement of matter,
or beauty of diction ; but rather to serve, on the one hand, as an illustration of
the practical devotion, courage, and self-sacrifice, with which the Bishop under-
took the gigantic works to which they refer — works impossible of accomplish-
ment (most probably) in the hands of any other man, under the same set of
circumstances, and on the other, as a record of the great generosity of the clergy
and people of a poor diocese.

252 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

" Eight Rev. Dr. Derry, Bishop of Clonfert.

" Right Rev. Dr. Kelly, Coadjutor-Bishop of Derry.

" Right Rev. Dr. Leahy, Coadjutor-Bishop of Dromore.

** Right Rev. Dr. M'Gettigan, Coadjutor- Bishop of Raphoe.

" Right Rev. Dr. Moriarty, Bishop of Kerry.

" Right Rev. Dr. Brady, Bishop of Perth.

" Right Rev. Dr. Gillooly, Coadjutor-Bishop of Elphin.

" Right Kev. Dr. Kilduff, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmac-
noise.

" Letters of apology were received from his Grace the Most
Rev. Dr. MacHale, Archbishop of Tuam, and from their lord-
ships, Dr. Feeney, Bishop of Killala ; Dr. Blake, Bishop of
Dromore; Dr. Delany, Bishop of Cork; Dr. Durcan, Bishop
of Achonry ; Dr. Fallon, Bishop of Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora

" The choir, which was of the most effective character, and
excited general admiration for the admirable manner in which
they sang, was conducted by Mr. Lyons, assisted by

" Rev. Dr. Dunne, President of Carlow College, ) ]]r f . f

" Rev. John Harold, Kingstown, afterwards > ^ /^

no,.^„ Ceremonies.

Canon, )

" Rev. George Harold, Kingstown, now Canon and P.P. of
Glasthule.

" Rev. James Cavanagh, Kingstown, Canon and P.P., Kings-
town afterwards.

" Rev. Mr. Mullally, Irishtown.

" Rev. Mr. Beardwood, Dublin.

" Rev. Mr. M'Manus, Francis-street, Dublin, now Canon,
and P.P., St. Catherine's, Dublin.

" Rev. Dr. M'Manus, of St. Lawrence O'Toole's Seminary.

" Rev. Dr. Forde, Professor of Canon Law, Catholic Uni-
versity.

"Rev. William Stephenson, late of Calcutta, Assistant Priest
to the Primate celebrant.

"'Rev. Dr. Laphen, P.P., St. Catherine's, Meath-street,
Dublin.

" Deacon, Rev. John Skelly, C.C., Banagher, now P.P.,
Carrick-Edmond.

" Sub-deacon, Rev. P. Phillips, Presbyter, Ardac.

" There were present, moreover, about two hundred priests,
comprising representatives from Ardagh, Meath, Elphin,
Clogher, Galway, and Dublin.

" Not less than eighteen thousand members of the laity,
comprising persons of all ranks and conditions, came to Long-
ford on the occasion of the ceremony.

" In the town of Longford and the country around, the cere-

DR. KILDUFF. 253

mony was looked forward to with peculiarly strong interest.
A very considerable degree of excitement pervaded all classes,
and preparations for attending and for marking the event (for
such it was regarded) with the greatest possible eclat were made
on all sides. In the whole district, business was suspended.
The shops in the town were closed, and in the early part of the
morning, the inhabitants, in their best attire, occupied the
streets, hastening to the new Cathedral, the great centre of
attraction. The same feeling pervaded all, both rich and poor.
The Board of Guardians adjourned their meeting from the usual
day (Wednesday) to the following day ; the corn buyers came
to a similar resolution in honour of the ceremony, and postponed
the holding of the corn market ; and all the other traders fol-
lowed the example. Every road leading to the town was
thronged from an early hour with the vehicles of the local
gentry and respectable farmers, conveying themselves and their
families, and with the peasantry, neatly and cleanly attired,
proceeding to the consecration.

" Arrangements were made by the Midland Railway Com-
pany to accommodate persons from the different stations along
the line desirous of attending. The evening trains on Tuesday,
the 23rd, and the first train on Wednesday brought large
numbers of clergy and laity. The morning train on Wednes-
day (quite a monster one) carried in nearly two thousand
persons.

" After the sermon, a collection was made in the church,
and the amount received, together with the sums realised by
the sale of tickets, was over one thousand pounds sterling."

Dr. Kilduff was a great promoter of Missions throughout
his diocese, as the following few extracts from his Diary will
show. Missions and Retreats are now happily very common.
In the beginning of his ejDiscopate, they were rare : —

" September 18th, 1853. — I procured a Mission to be opened
in Athlone by the following Fathers of the Congregation of the
Missioners : Rev. Messrs. Kickham, Kavanagh, Dixon, Heyfran,
O'Kelly, M 'Go wan.

" From the 18th September until the 17th of October, they
laboured with great zeal for the reformation of St. Mary's
Parish, Athlone. They preached three tiiues each day to a
crowded audience, and heard confessions from six in the morning
until eight in the afternoon, excepting some intervals for meals,
&c.

"During the entire month, they were assisted in hearing
confessions by at least six other priests each day, including the
three Franciscans of the Convent, Athlone. Nothing could

254 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

exceed tlie fervour of tlie people and their eagerness to approach,
the Sacraments. The entire parish was regenerated. Sodalities
of the Scapulars, Living Rosary, Sacred Heart, Confraternity
of the Christian Doctrine, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul
were established.

" During the Mission, I administered the Sacrament of Con-
firmation three times : viz , Wednesday, October 5th, confirmed —
males, 615 ; females, 537 ; total, 1,052 : Monday, October 17th,
confirmed — males, 454 ; females, 450 ; total, 904 : Tuesday,
October 18th, confirmed — females, 2 : total confirmed during the
Mission, 1,958 ! [General reader, do not think these were all
from St. Mary's Parish, or even from Athlone town and its
immediate surroundings.] Whoever really wishes to have the
spirit of piety renewed among his people, let him get a Mission.
Whoever wishes to have vices eradicated, let him get a Mission.
Whoever wishes to have his people contrite, purified, sanctified
here, and glorified hereafter, let him get them a Mission.

"►J^ J. KlLDUFF."

In twenty years after, the writer had many opportunities of
witnessing, ocidis jjrojjriis, the permanent good effects of that
Mission, and of hearing the people of Athlone, at both sides of
the Shannon, speaking of it with enthusiasm, such as might be
expected to prevail immediately after the Mission, but not at
so distant a period of time.

" Thursday, 12th July, 1855. — Held Visitation and adminis-
tered the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Mary's Chapel,
Athlone. Confirmed — males, 125 ; females, 184; total, 309. I
have not met, in the diocese of Ardagh, children better or
(taking them all together) so well instructed in the Christian
Doctrine. Thanks to God for the Confraternity of the Chris-
tian Doctrine, established in this parish on the occasion of the
Mission given in the autumn of the year 1853. The fruits of
that Mission are still visible in the various Confraternities and
in the number of those who, weekly and monthly, approach the
Sacraments.

" Tuesday, the 6th November. — Held Visitation and adminis-
tered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the chapel at Banagher.
Confirmed, males and females, 886.

"I procured a Mission for Banagher, and it was opened
there on the 7th of October, 1855, by the Missioners of St.
Vincent de Paul, viz., Rev. Messrs. M'Cabe,* Kavanagh, Dixon,
M'Gowran, Hey f ran, and Kelly. They continued their labours
for four successive weeks (terminating on Sunday, the 4th No-

* His immediate successor as Bishop of Ardagh.

DR. KILDUFF. 255

"vember), during whicli time a very large crowd, anxious to
•avail themselves of the benefits of the Mission, was in daily
attendance. On Monday, the 5th November, the day after the
-close of the Mission, they prepared the candidates for Confir-
mation ; and on Tuesday, the 6th November, Confirmation was
administered to the number of persons aforesaid.

" Of the nmnber confirmed, there were very many adults.
The knowledge displayed in the Catholic Doctrine, both by old
•and young, was very limited indeed. A very large number,
owing to the indefatigable zeal of the Missioners, knew the
principal Mysteries, but scarcely anything more. The necessity
of a good Catholic Doctrine Confraternity, well worked, under
the vigilant and zealous care of the priest, was never more
apparent.

"«5« J. Kll.DUFF.

"1859, 6 th June. — I administered the Sacrament of Confir-
mation in the Cathedral at Longford. Confirmed — males, 104 ;
females, 109. The persons confirmed on this occasion, with
very few exceptions, were adults, who turned up during the
Mission given by the Yincentian Fathers. The Mission com-
Tnenced on Sunday, the 8th of May, and terminated on Sunday,
the 5th of June. Besides the six Missionary Fathers, viz.. Rev.
JVIessrs. Dixon, Kelly, Burton, Chadwick, Gleeson, and Mej^-ers,
the following priests assisted in the Confessional during the
Mission : —

" Rev. O. Yorke, Adm., \

" Rev. B. O'Reilly, CO., Longford.

" Rev. J. Reynolds, CO., )

" Rev. J. O'Reilly, P.P., ) -^.„

"Rev.J.Conefry,C.C., i^^^^^-

" Rev. P. M'Keon, P.P., \^ ^ -,

"Rev.F.Kiernan,C.C.,i^^^^^^^-

"Rev. Richard Slevin, P.P., Clongish.

" Rev. Michael Duggan, CO., Killashee.

"Rev. John Skelly, CO., Banagher.

"Rev. James O'Reilly, CO., Ballymachugh.

"Rev. P. M'Givney, CO., Colombkill.

" Rev. Thomas Monahan, CO., Cashel.

" Rev. John Duffy, CO., Legan.

" Rev. Robert O'Reilly, CO., Edgeworthstown.

" Sunday, August 27th. — Held Yisitation in the chapel of
•Granard-Kiil. The state of religion is very low in this parish.
Many do not frequent the Sacraments. Many do not even go
to Mass on Sundays, The town is infested with notorious

256 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

thieves and bad characters. The only means, in my opinion, o£
causing religion to revive here is to build a new chapel and get
a Mission for the people. Oh, when will that happy time-
arrive?"*

The zealous bishop had the happiness of laying the founda-
tion stone of St. Mary, Granard, on Saturday, the 8th of Sep-
tember, 1860 — (in the same month of that year, he laid the-
foundation stone of St. Mary, Kilronan) — and of blessing it on
the 5th May, 1867. His Eminence Cardinal CuUen preached
on the occasion. The Cardinal rode from Longford on that,
day with Dr. Kilduff, in the new carriage presented to him
some months previously by his clergy. It was, I have been,
told, the first and last occasion on which his lordship used tho
carriage. He always drove on a plain outside car. A Mission
was very soon arranged for Granard. The good pastor, under
whose care and direction was built the beautiful Gothic church
now holding the most elevated and proud position in the town
of Granard, was the late Very Eev. Canon M'Gaver, V.F. He-
was assisted in its erection by two most zealous and efficient,
curates, the Rev. P. Fitzgerald and the Rev. John Skelly, now
the respected pastors of Legan and Carrick-ed-Mond. Under
their and his vigilance, religion improved immensely among^
the people of Granard. He lived to see the dedication of his.
new church and the first Mission held there after its opening.
Religion now is in a most floiirishing condition, under tho
prudent and enlightened pastorship of the Ven. Archdeacon,
OTlanagan, Y.G.

Dr. KildufP devoted his whole energies to the advancement
of religion in his diocese. He was a most practical man. In
several parishes he found, his Diary records, only a twelve
o'clock Mass said on Sundays in the principal church ; in some
instances, in important towns. He directed there should be aa
earlier Mass, for the convenience of the communicants and
others. He found a great want of schools and of parochial
houses, and a bad supply of vestments ; and to these practical
questions he gave his best attention, as well as to the establish-
ment of a Christian Doctrine Confraternity in every parish ;
and, above all, he endeavoured to have unbecoming chapels,
replaced by templesf more worthy of the Supreme Being and

* The respected pastor of Granard, the Very Rev. E. M'Gaver, was greatly-
distressed by the irregularities of some of his flock, and was delayed iu com-
mencing the new chi;rch by difficulties regarding the site, all of which he finally
overcame by industry and perseverance.

t St. Mary's, Athlone, was, after St. Mel's, Longford, his most marked
success in church architecture. It was commenced in 1857 by the late Very-
Rev, K. Kilroe, P.P., assisted by the devoted Rev. P. Dardis, C.C, and com-

DR. KILDUFF. 257

the Holy Sacrifice. He brought that most energetic and self-
sacrificing sisterhood, the Mercy Nuns, to Longford, gave them
his own residence, where they lived for some years, until they
had erected the present stately convent adjoining the railway.
That little community has already been the fruitful mother of the
Convents of Mercy at Newtownforbes, Grranard, Ballymahon,
and Mohill. From the very successful and promising convent
of the same Order at Moate, established b}'' Dr. Kilduff , came forth
the thriving institution, conducted by the Sisters at Ballymahon.
It must not be supposed that his great attention to practical
wants and details connected with them prevented his lordship
from keeping himself well up on the literature of the day, and
especially on theological and philosophical questions, Not
having been so much engaged in educational pursuits as his
eminent predecessor. Dr. O'Higgins, there does not exist such a
record of his learning. But Dr. Kilduff, as a theologian, was a
most learned man. He presided at all his Conferences, and made
them highly practical and interesting. The writer had the
advantage of reading his Theological and Scriptural Course at
Maynooth, the fame of whose professors is world-wide. The
least of them is, indeed, a giant in his own department. Their
treatises are read in the New, as well as in the Old World. Drs.
O'Hanlon, Murray, Croly, Neville, and MoUoy were the Profes-
sors of Theology in my time. Their fame is not confined to
Ireland. If, however, I were asked which of these great men
^vas the best and most useful professor, I should say Dr. (now
3Ionsiynor) Neville, Dean of Cork. He taught his class the
pith of the tract in a clearer manner than any of the other pro-
fessors. He did not burden their intellect and memory with
unnecessary and almost useless details. He did not obscure
his chief points by verbiage. He did not waste his energy and
the attention of his class on nice pMlosopMcal and metaphysical
distinctions of scholastic writers (although, at the Dunboyne
Examinations, when a fitting occasion arose, he invariably
showed his skill and power in that department of science, inves-
tigating, as he went on, principles and axioms to their very sources^
and pushing objections to their ultimate conclusions, thus revealing
the range and depth of his innate ability and acquired know-
ledge) ; in which, perhaps, the twelve premimn men could not
all follow him ; and the result was, his students remembered his

pleted in 1862, when it was cledicated. In the published record of Cardinal
Wiseman's tour in Ireland, his Eminenoe is reported to have said, in a lecture
delivered in London : " The most graceful parochial church I have seen, during
my tour in Ireland, is St. Mary's, Athlone." It was Dr. KildufF promoted it
and blessed it. Dr. CuUen, Archbishop of Dublin, preached the dedication
sermon. Mr. John Bourke was the architect.

18

258 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

teaching better than that of the other professors. He did not go
off in divergencies, and make them so learnedly long, as to
draw away the minds of his class from the main proposition.
No ; he had the happy method of keeping to his points, and
using clear and brief language in his expositions, and of
putting questions in Moral Theology especially, one of which,
at times, would fairly test the respondent's reading of perhaps
twenty pages of a tract. He was, to my mind, the clearest,
ablest, and most practical professor of them all ; and, in listening
to Dr. Kilduff conducting Conferences, I was frequently carried
off in thought to Dr. Neville's class hall in Maynooth, their
methods were so much alike. Dr. Kilduff, as it were, instinctively
caught up the viscera of the stihjecta materia for Conference.
He refused to consider at all crotchets and puzzles. His clear
and practical mind could not delay on such nugae. He had a
happy way of reducing to silence gentlemen, the amount of
whose ability and reading only enabled them to raise false
issues, run off in tangents, waste time in divergencies wholly
foreign to the subject-matter, and leading only to endless and
profitless discussion, without any apparent show of accuracy,
precision, or even discursive reading of the tract. With such
men it is very difficult to argue. They have not even as much
knowledge as constitutes the conditio sine qua nan for argument.
Therefore, it is more difficult to overcome or convince them
than those who know something about the matter ; for they
pass rapidly from one irrelevancy to another, until a whole
series comes forth, to show not their smartness, as they sup-
posed, but that they had declined a via recta scientiae et veritatis.
His clear intellect saw at a glance a disputant of this class, and
he overcame him toute suite, by mildly conveying to him he was
disqualified to enter the lists until he had properly prepared
himself. It was thus the bishop was able to get through so much
matter in one Conference ; for we had at each Conference not
only a portion of a tract on Theology, but also a chapter in
Scripture, from one of the Evangelists, which some member of
the Conference was called upon to read and explain a la mode
Maynooth. There was, moreover, a sermon of half-an-hour's
length, preached at the cormnencement of the Conference by
some one named at the previous Conference, and afterwards criti-
cised by the bishop. If it had been the will of God that Dr.
Kilduff^held a Professor's Chair of Theology atMajTiooth for some
years before he was raised to the episcopate, there is no doubt
on my mind, at all events, that he would have earned for him-
self the name and fame of one of its ablest professors.

As an administrator of the diocese, he was very successful.
Merit was his standard for promotion, and wherever he found

DR. KILDUFF. 259

■seniority resting on merit, its possessor was never passed over.
Time and experience, witli very few exceptions (there are excep-
tions to every rule), proved the wisdom of his appointments.
He experienced less difficulties in connection with his appoint-
ments than perhaps many bishops, owing to the decision and
courage of his character. The last important appointment he
made was to the benefice of Moat and Calry. Many expec-
tants having been passed over, and the Eev. P., now Canon
Kearney having been appointed its P.P., some criticism resulted.
But, after the lapse of nineteen years, the wisdom and foresight
shown by that collation are triumphantly manifest. Si argu-
mentiim petis, circumspice. Look at the beautiful new Church of
•St. Patrick's, unsurpassed — I might almost say, unrivalled — as
a parochial church, in Ardagh, having regard to its interior and
exterior decorations. Look at the new and handsome presby-
tery and grounds. Look at the new Church of St. Kieran, the
new presbytery at Mount Temple, and the schools, all the work
of the present pastor, Canon Kearney ; and say, if you can, Dr.
KildufE's clear insight into character and fitness was not revealed
in that appointment. I say nothing of his Confraternities,
missions, and retreats.

Dr. Kilduff, as a preacher, was, perhaps, the most effective
in his day. I do not mean to convey that weighed in the scales
of calculation and merit — set up by standard writers on pulpit-
eloquence — the Bishop of Ardagh could justly be declared
entitled to a foremost place amongst the orators of his time. For
his voice was certainly not as musical and flexible as that with
which Mario was gifted, nor was his manner or action, taking
the word in its widest sense, quite secundum regulas artis Reto-
ricae ; nor was there any originality of thought, arrangement,
or expression about the composition of his sermons. There
was no striking beauty or flow about his style ; but the per-
fection of his preaching consisted in the apparent absence of
excellence. His discourses were plain, homely, practical, strik-
ing at the roots of vice, and lifting the mind to the great future
rewards. His language was simple and intelligible to all ; his
illustrations were taken from the Scriptures, the writings of
the Fathers, and daily experience of all. Whenever it was
annoimced that he was to preach in any particular church, on a
particular day, multitudes went to hear him, and were moved
by his sermons in a manner and to a degree of external expres-
sion, such.as I have never seen or heard on a similar occasion.
What was the cause of his great influence over his hearers, in
the absence of so many qualities laid down by writers on pulpit
oratory and how came this excellence in Dr. Kilduff ? It came
from the earnestness and sincerity of his manner, founded (as all

260 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

came gradually to learn and know) upon the unselfishness and
self-sacrifice of his character. The earnestness of his manner-
was the chief cause of the success of his preaching. His deli-
very convinced all of his own thorough sincerity and profound
conviction in the truth of what he said.

In the minds of his hearers there could not arise any such
thoughts as Shakespeare gives expression to — Richard II., Act
V. scene 3, in the following beautiful and impressive words : —

Pleads he in earnest ! Look upon his face.

His eyes drop no tears— his prayers are jest,

His prayers come from his mouth, but not from his breast.

His thorough and downright earnestness would almost prove-
the truth of his propositions even to the minds of the sceptical.
Besides this element of success in his preaching, there was
another — ^viz., his imselfish, seK- sacrificing life. The influence-
of such a life upon a congregation, or one's flock, is beautifully-
described by Cowper, in the following words : —

" I venerate the man whose heart is warm,
Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life,
Coincident, exhibit lucid proof,

That he is honest in the sacred cause.
To such I render more than mer« respect.

Whose actions say that they respect themselves."

To hear Dr. KildufE and look on him whilst preaching, was-
enough to bring you, at once, irresistibly face to face with Grod,
in thought, eternity, and the everlasting truths. Some of his-
discourses are remembered to this day by those who heard them.

And thus it is, one recalls to mind what the biographers of
SS. Charles Borromeo and Francis de Sales, tell us of their
preaching. The former, laboiired imder many natural defects
of voice, manner, and style ; nevertheless, the grave modesty of
his manner, together with the sweet heavenly unction accom-
panying his utterances, seized the hearts and minds of his-
hearers and produced wonderful resTilts. The same is related
of St. Francis. Of Massillon it is written, that so great and
overwhelming was his unction, directly he began to speak he-
conveyed the impression — he could no longer restrain himself'
from giving expression to the heavenly and sublime truths,,
with which he was full. Dr. Kildufi used little or no gesture..
I read in some review, that his Eminence Cardinal Newman
uses no gesticulations in preaching, and when asked why, he
answered, the Word of God is too powerful and solemn to need
acting. Bourdaloue, it is said, preached some of his most effec-
tive sermons with his eyes closed and hands clasped before his.

DR. KILDUFF. 261

ibreast. Dr. Kildirff's voice, altLougli somewliat liarsli, was
j)owerful and far-reaching.

In addition to tlie thorougli earnestness of his manner and
purity of his life, and self-sacrifice in the external works of reli-
gion, there was another element of success — viz. the fulness of
instructive matter. Being well read in Theology and Scripture,
he easily found an abundant supply of matter.

In fact, his discourses were epitomes of Moral and Dogmatic
Theology, expressed in the plainest and simplest language, on
whatever subject he treated. The writer recollects two of his
discourses especially — viz., his sermon on the Fourth Command-
ment of Grod and his sermon on Scandal, and he never heard as
much Moral Theology compressed into a single discourse on these
subjects. It is to be regretted none of his eloquent sermons can
be found. I could only find a scrap of his sermon on the Resur-
rection and which I omit, as it would give no idea whatever of
the entire discourse, which I once had the advantage of hearing
him preach, in St. Mary's Church, Athlone, on Easter Sunday
preceding his death. He was also a good Latinist and Mathe-
matician. At the annual Concursus, held in Longford, for
Tacant places in Majoiooth, and other Colleges, the Bishop was
the principal examiner, and clearly showed his thorough
acquaintance with the Greek and Latin Classics. The following
.autobiography, written in his own handwriting and found
■amongst his papers, will give some idea of what he was as a
-writer of the Latin language : —

•Joannes KildufE, Dei et Apostolicae sedis gratia Episcopus Arda-
chadensis.

Natus die 11° Novembris, 1820. Ingressus alumnus in
:seminarium Sancti Yicentii de Paul apud Castleknock. die
1° Septembris, 1831. Ibidem duobus annis humanarum litte-
rarum atque Rhetoricae studio incubuit Romam profectus et
f actus alumnus Collegii Hibernensis de urbe de die 15° Sep-
tembris, 1840. Ibidem versatus est octo annos, unum mensem
et viginti dies, quo tempore Rhetoricoe, Philosophiae et Theolo-
giae studio operam navavit, et magistros habuit Patres cele-
berrimos illustris Socio Jesu, Die 12^ Martii, 1842, tonsuram
clericalem et Die 15° Novembris 1846, quatuor ordines minores
accepit. Die 8° Decembris, 1846, in festo B. V. M. Immacu-
latae ad subdiaconatum et die 19° ejusdem mensis et anni ad
Diaconatum promotus fuit.

11° Julii, A.D. 1847, presbyteratus ordinem suscepit. Et die
demum 29° Junii, a.d. 1853, Episcopus Ardachadensis conse-
-cratus fuit. S.D.N. Pio Papa IX° feliciter regnante Episcopo

262 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

consecrante Remo D.D. Paulo CuUen Archiepisco Dubliniensi"
Hiberniae Primate et sedis Apostolico Delegato ; Episcopis vero-
assistentibus Reverdismis. D.D. Josepbo Dixon Archiepiscopo •
Armacliano et totius Hiberniae Primate et Joanne Cantwell Epis-
copo Medensi : Ordinatus Presbyter die ll'' Julii, 1847, ut
supra notatum Concilio admodum R. D. Pauli Cullen Collegii
Hibemensis Rectoris Romae ad hue moratus est sexdecimferme
menses quo tempore Philosopbiam moralem in Dicto Col. Hiber-
nensi publice docuit. Die 4° Novembris, 1848, alma urbe dis-
cedens, in Galliam venit et ingressus domum St. Lazari, Parisiis .
in via viJgo dicta Rue de Sevres, ibidem apud Missionarios
S. Vincentii de Paul quinque circiter mensis remansit.

Sub finem mensis Aprilis, a.d. 1849, in Hiberniam rediens
ad amicos sues Missionarios S. Vincentii de Paul divertit qui-
bus commoratus est quatuor annos et menses duos cum dimidio,
nunquam tamen vota predictae Congregationis Missionariorum
propria emisit, licet ad id praestandum saepe saepius invita-
tus fuit. Post ejus in Hiberniam reditum factus est statim
Rbetoricae et Sacrae Scripturae, Professor in CoUegio S. Vin-
centii apud Castleknock quo in munere annum unum explevit.
Reliquo vero tempore versatus praecipue fuit simul cum sacer-
dotibus predictae Congregationis in Missionibus inter pau-
peres babendis, diversis in Hiberno partibus donee die 24°
Maji, A..D. 1853, vigore Brevis Apostolici dati die 1° Maji,
A.D. 1853. Maximo cordis et animi dolore, ad gubernium Dio-
cesis Ardacbadensis suscipiendum coactus fuit. (Lector bene-
volo— ora pro eo).

1^ Joannes Kilduff.

We are now drawing neartotbe close of this great Prelate's:
eartbly career. His Diary of 1867 shows that he entered the
days for "Visitations," to be held that year, in twenty-two
parishes. He commenced on Sunday, the 17th March, and
held seventeen of them, the last being on the 11th June, which
is entered in his usual handwriting, and is the last entry in
his Diary. It is Kenagh, Co. Longford. The Bishop was over-
worked, and, therefore, liable to catch any passing disease or
epidemic. Typhus and typhoid fever were, at that time, pre-
valent in Longford. The holy man was seized with this dreadful
disease about the 15th June, or perhaps before ; and refusing
to consider himself dangerously ill, relying on his once powerful
constitution, it grew and advanced rapidly on him, through
want of timely care, and secured its victim before it was suffi-
ciently known the bishop was seriously ill. Thus it was, his
sickness was considered of short duration, and his death rapidly

DR. KILDUFF. 263

followed. He died, however, as he lived, in a most edifying
manner, having received the last Sacraments.

The following notices of this sad event appeared in the daily
Freeman, and, doubtless, will be read with interest, even by
those who have seen them before : —

Death of the Most Eev. Dr. Kilduff.

Throughout every district in Ireland this sad announce-
ment will be read with profound sorrow. The amiable, the
learned, the pious, and exemplary Bishop of Ardagh is no
more. Shortly after two o'clock yesterday, the good prelate
resigned his pure spirit into the hands of his Creator, displaying
to the last that holy zeal, ardent piety, patience, and resigna-
tion to the Divine will, which characterised his blameless and
holy life. He should have died hereafter, when full of years,
when all the great works which he had projected were com-
pleted, and not now, when it was to be hoped that he was only
in the period when he would see around him the fruits of his
apostolic labours, and the reward for all his toil and parental
solicitude for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the flock
confided to his charge. But God has willed it otherwise, and
the Church of Ireland has this day to mourn the loss of one of
her brightest ornaments, whose virtues and piety shed lustre on
the illustrious and ancient episcopacy of his native land. His
whole life was a blessing to all who came within his influence,
and he has now gone to his everlasting reward, followed by the
heartfelt grief and benedictions of his people, who will hold his
memory in pious and affectionate reverence from generation to
generation. It was only a few days since that it was announced
that the good Bishop was preparing to proceed to Rome, with
the other Irish prelates, for the purjjose of being present at the
great solemnities of the 29 th instant, when the eighteen hun-
dreth anniversary of the martyrdom of SS. Peter and Paul would
be commemorated. But as the time drew near when he was to
have taken his departure for the Eternal City, he was stricken
with malignant typhus fever, which he caught while ministering
to the destitute poor, amongst whom, like his Divine Master, he
wished to be. AH that medical science could accomplish was
done to save the life of one so universally beloved and held
in such deep veneration, but to no avail, as the dread malady
increased in violence until tired nature was overcome, and the
painted prelate passed away, attended by all the consolations of
the faith of which he was, in precept and example, so zealous a
minister, and in the full possession of his vigorous and mascu-

264 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

line intellect, illustrating the saying, "How beautiful is tlie
death of the just." Consecrated on the 29th of June, 1853, by
the Most Rev. Archbishop (now his Eminence Cardinal) Cullen,
the illustrious deceased had concluded the fourteenth year of
his episcopacy, all but eight days. The Most Rev. Dr. Kilduff
was one who would be accounted exalted even amongst the most
distinguished. He was remarkable alike for mental power and
profound scholarship, combined with a far-seeing judgment
and great administrative capacity. Humble in his own estima-
tion, he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him,
and with all the grace of a Christian gentleman he was most
distinguished for the meek gentleness of his nature, the kind
forbearance of his manner, and for that abiding charity which
endureth all things for God's sake. It was in the hidden life
of the good bishop his true greatness was to be recognised — in
his undying love for the poor, in his zeal for the welfare of his
flock, in his countless acts of mercy and self-sacrificing benevo-
lence, and in his deep humility. Amongst his clergy and his
people he was regarded as an indulgent and fond parent, and
he lived " in the heart of hearts " of his flock, who now mourn
his loss in silent sorrow. And it should be so. He who was
the stay of the homeless and the destitute, the father to the
widow and the orphan, the instructor of the ignorant, the con-
soler of the sorrowing and afilicted, is no more. In him the
sinner has lost the stern, though kind reprover, the weak their
great .protector, and all, a brilliant example of the height of
Christian perfection to which human nature could aspire.
Born, as well as we can learn, about the year 1820, of most
respectable parents, in the neighbourhood of Athlone, at an
early age the future bishop gave indications of the intellectual
power for which he was afterwards so highly distinguished.
As he grew in years he grew in virtue, and having expressed a
desire to enter into the sacred ministry, all his studies were
directed to that object. Having received a liberal preliminary
education, he proceeded to the Irish College at Rome, then
under the presidency of his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop
of Dublin. His collegiate career was most brilliant, and soon
after his ordination he joined the Yincentian community. As
an humble missionary priest, he officiated in the Church of St.
Peter, Phibsborough, and worked with imtiring zeal for the
instruction of youth, and for the promotion of religion amongst
rich and poor. Even the obscurity of the little district church
in which he toiled, apparently unknown, could not conceal
brilliant virtues such as his, and, though sitting far below the
salt, the Master of the Feast called him up to the place of
honour and high dignity. On the death of the Most Rev. Dr.

DR. KILDUFF. 265

O'Higgins, Bishop of Ardagh, an election was held for the
nomination of his successor in the diocese. Three names were
forwarded to Rome for the approval of the Holy See, in the
usual form, but amongst them was not that of Dr. Kilduff, who
was subsequently named Bishop of Ardagh ; and the Bulls for
the consecration of the humble Yincentian priest arrived in
due course. He entered on his sacred duties with that holy
zeal and Christian meekness, for which he was so eminently
remarkable, and by his precept and example evoked a spirit of
religious fervour throughout the vast diocese over which he was
called to rule. He lost no time in setting about the comple-
tion of the magnificent Cathedral at Longford, commenced by
his predecessor, and now the largest in Ireland. The great
work went on most prosperously, and despite the many diffi-
culties, the interior of the sacred structure was finished under
the direction of Mr. John Burke, Architect. Owing to the
cost and labour of bringing stones of a large size from distant
localities, the completion of the grand portico had to be post-
poned ; but, notwithstanding, the Cathedral of the Diocese of
Ardagh is, perhaps, the finest Grecian structure applied to
religious purposes in the kingdom. The good bishop, whose
entire life was one of unwearing activity, turned his attention
to the erection of a diocesan seminary, and a suitable site in the
neighbourhood of the cathedral having been secured, the work
«oon commenced, from plans and designs furnished by Mr.
Burke. Bishop, priests, and people, by their united efforts,
succeeded in completing the Diocesan College, which, for archi-
tectural effect, harmony, and appropriateness, has no superior
in Ireland. Schools and convents for the instruction of youth,
and sanctuaries for piety arose throughout the diocese, and the
old primitive parochial churches were superseded by temples
worthy of the people. This was only the external or material
good, or part of it, which was effected in the, alas ! too short,
episcopate of him who was called " the young bishop." But
who will tell of all the moral and spiritual good which was
effected under his potent, though gentle rule ; for he governed
through the hearts and affections of his people, in whose
enduring welfare, for time and eternity, his noble and generous
nature was involved. His death was worthy of bis life, and he
has gone to his everlasting rest, after having accomplished his
work, like the husbandman who sleeps 'mid the harvest he had
sown in the soil that he had cultivated to bring forth fruit in
reason.

266 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

Funeral of the Most Eev. Dr. Kilduff.

Longford, Monday Night.

On this day, all that was mortal of the Most Rev. Dr.
Kilduff, Lord Bishop of Ardagh, was consigned to the tomb
beneath the sanctuary of the noble cathedral to this town,
attended by everything that could bear testimony of the-
affectionate veneration in which the illustrious prelate was
held by rich and poor. When the sad intelligence of the
demise of the good bishop became known on the afternoon
of Friday, the greatest sorrow prevailed among persons
of every class and creed in this town. All business may be
said to have been suspended here, and a stranger passing
through the general bustling and busy streets would be inclined
to believe that all the inhabitants had left their homes, which
they had closed at the time of their leaving, and had not up to
now returned. During Saturday, the people who flocked in
from every direction, proceeded in groups to the cathedral to
offer up their prayers to the throne of grace for the everlasting
rest of one who was treasured in the hearts of his flock, and.
who was to them a father, friend, and guide. Crowds of the
poor and needy expressed their deep sorrow for his loss, with
bitter tears and wailing, and the voice of grief was to be heard
in the homes of the humble and the opulent, and in the streets
and roadways. Never was deep and heartfelt regret more
generally felt or expressed than it has been for the great
departed — great in the truest acceptation of the term ; because
all that was noble and exalted was his, in heart and soul, that
raised him to the highest elevation of human goodness, made his
entire life a blessing — an honour to his illustrious order and
race, and his death a calamity deeply to be deplored. Since I
arrived here, persons in every sphere speak on no other subject
than the virtues of the good bishop, whose boundless charity
and great and inexhaustible benevolence are only now made pro-
minently known by the wretched, whom he relieved and
sustained by his private generosity. Like his Master, " he
went about doing good," and from his slender means he gave
freely and in secret to those on whom poverty and privation
pressed with a heavy hand. Like the flower that gives out its
sweetest perfume when crushed in the dust, the warm-hearted
charity of the good prelate did not become fully known until
he was stricken by death in the midst of his peaceful victories
for Christ, and for the promotion of the temporal and endearing
happiness of his faithful people. Whatever he determined on
doing he accomplished, because he was always in earnest, and

DR. KILDUFF. 267'

under a calm, subdued, and humble demeanour there burned an
ardent and holy zeal for the advancement of religion and virtue,..
and an iron will, associated with an untiring energy, that
enabled him to overcome difl&culties the most formidable, andi
achieve great and glorious results. In af tertime, men may ask:
what monument did a grateful people run up to the memory of
such a benefactor, and it may be said, that he built a monu-
ment to himself in the hearts of his flock, in the virtues that
he developed in them, and which they will transmit to their
children's children. This was the only memorial he aspired to,,
but others will remain in the magnificent cathedral which he
all but completed, the diocesan seminary which he caused to
be erected on the fine, well- wooded land adjoining the church ;
the spacious schools for the education of the poor, the con--
vent for the Sisters of Mercy, and the beautiful temples
devoted to the worship of God, which he caused to be erected
throughout the length and breadth of the diocese. The town,
yesterday, was crowded by the people, even from remote parts
of the coimtry, and an air of gloom and sadness hung over
all as they spoke of the departed prelate in language the most
tender and expressive of the deep and irreparable loss whick
they had sustained.

The remains were borne from the seminary, where the good
bishop closed his honoured life, to the cathedral, after last
Mass yesterday. From Friday evening, up to yesterday, the
remains lay in the exquisite Norman chapel attached to the
college, attired in his pontificals. The sad bearers of the
remains were four of the clergy of the town, followed by a
vast crowd. All that was mortal of the departed were received
at the principal entrance of the noble pile by the choir of
priests in attendance, who preceded the remains to the place
prepared for them in the choir. The psalms prescribed by the
Ritual for such an occasion having been chaunted, the Office for
the Dead was recited throughout the night. From an early
hour this morning all the roads leading to the town were
thronged by persons of all classes coming to take part in the
solemn ceremonial, and to attend the funeral. Every shop and
place of business remained closed, without a single exception, and
the townspeople of all denominations did everything in their
power to mark their deep respect and veneration for the memory
of the deceased prelate. At the high and side altars. Mass was
celebrated from five o'clock till noon, the time fixed for the
Office of the Dead to commence. The weather was extremely
fine, and the exterior of the cathedral presented a grand and
imposing effect, with its dome and cross- surmounted campanile,
rising in classic grace and beauty in the midsummer sunshine.

■268 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

TJie campanile, wliicli was designed by Mr. John Burke, is
one of the most exquisite things of its kind to be found in the
three kingdoms, and gives to the cathedral an air of chaste and
solemn beauty calculated to evoke the warmest expressions of
-admiration. To the right, the Diocesan College of St. Mel was
to be seen in all its quiet beauty, in the centre of the heaving
■meadow land from which it rises, also the fine schools and
the convent to which I have alluded. It would be hard to
give a just idea of the grand and impressive appearance of the
interior of the cathedral, which was crowded to the doors in
eyerj portion set apart for the laity. The long line of stone
pillars, from which twelve arches at each side spring, and
dividing the aisles from the nave, looked grand and massive, as
did also the majestic arched decorated ceiling, and superb
, circular apse above and behind the high altar and sanctuary,
which were draped in deep mourning, and bore the emblems
of mortality and redemption. The side windows were covered
with black cloth and insignia of mourning. The coffin con-
taining the remains was placed on a catafalque in the choir,
surrounded by unbleached funeral wax lights. On the lid of
the coffin the three mitres and pastoral staff of the late bishop
were placed, as also a gilt shield, bearing the following inscrip-
tion.

THE RIGHT REV. JOHN KILDUFF,

LoRB Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise,

Died 21st June, 1867, in his forty-seventh year, and the fifteenth

» of his Episcopacy.

R. I. P.

The clergy having entered the church in procession, occu-

j)ied. the seats prepared for them in the choir. Then followed

the dignitaries and the Most Eev. Dr. Derry, Bishop of

Clonfert, Most Eev. Dr. Leahy, Bishop of Dromore, Most Eev.

Dr. Kelly, Bishop of Derry ; the rest of the Irish Bishops

were in Eome. Eepresentatives of the Clergy of all the

neighbouring Dioceses were present, and some from Dioceses

Temotely distant. The grand old Gregorian music was sung

with greater excellence and feeling than I had ever heard

before. At the conclusion of the ceremonies within the church,

the Lord Bishop of Derry pronounced the absolution of the

dead, and the remains of the deceased bishop were borne from

the cathedral on the shoulders of four of the clergy, amidst the

tears and lamentations of the immense congregation. The

remains having been placed in a hearse and four, bearing

white plumes, the funeral procession was formed, under the

^direction of Mr. Alfred Waller, Denzille-street, to whom the

DR. KILDUFF. 269

arrangements were intrusted. First came a large number o£
boys, wearing soutanes and surplices, then the hearse containing-
the remains, followed by a carriage occupied by the Lord
Bishops of Dromore, Derry, and Clonfert. Next, came the
clergy in soutanes, surplices, and wearing cappas, walking two-
and two, then the gentry, merchants, and traders of the town
and neighbourhood, followed by the constabulary stationed
here, and a vast concourse of people from all parts of the diocese..
In the long line of carriages present was that of the Earl of
Granard. The sad cortege proceeded along the street leading
from the cathedral to the main street as the bell from the
campanile told the people that the remains of him who loved
them well and loved them to the end were passing to the
tomb. The footpaths along the route the funeral took were
crowded, and every head was uncovered as the honoured ashes
of the great departed moved along. Every shop and office»
including the banks, were closed, and even the blinds in the
windows of the private houses and hotels were drawn down.
On went the sad procession through the sorrowing crowd, and
I cannot call to mind anything that impressed me more with
a sense of the solemn and imposing scene than the funeral
oi the Bishop of Ardagh on this day. On the procession
approaching the entrance to the military barrack gate, a
squadron of the 12th Lancers, in full uniform, rode forward,,
and as the hearse passed the soldiers lowered their lances as
a mark of deep respect to the memory of the honoured dead.
For the same object the officers belonging to the regiment
walked in the procession in their full dress uniform. The
people fully appreciated this graceful tribute to the memory of
their departed bishop, which was not only worthy of the dead,
but also of soldiers and gentlemen. As the funeral proceeded
on its way, the crowds became more dense every minute, and
not less than twenty thousand persons could have collected as.
the cortege returned to the cathedral, the steps and j)arapets
of which were fully occupied by the poor, anxious to see the
last of their best friend and benefactor. The remains having
been taken from the hearse, they were conveyed through the
immense crypt to the vaults beneath the sanctuary, as the
choir of priests chanted the psalms proper for the burial of
the dead. The last prayers having been said by the officiating
prelate, and the sad requiescaf in pace having been entoned, the
tomb closed on the ashes of a faithful servant of God, and pre-
late of His Church, one for whose premature loss all Ireland
grieved, but whose memory shall be revered from generation
to generation in the hearts of his people, for whose salvation
he lived, and in whose service he died. He went to an

*270 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

everlasting inlieritance leaving behind him a name for self-
sacrificing goodness that entitles him to be classed amongst
the best friends and benefactors of mankind. After the
funeral the clergy assembled in the cathedral, when the Very
Eev. Dr. Dawson was elected Yicar- Capitular of the Diocese.

Dr. KlLDUFF AS A PROMOTER OF EDUCATION IN ArDAGH
AND ClONMACNOISE.

He was the first Bishop since the Reformation to estabKsh
a high school in Ardagh over which a priest presided as princi-
pal teacher. He felt the want of such a school, from his
advent to Longford, He embraced the first opportunity he
got of remedying this evil. In 1856, a highly distinguished
and promising ecclesiastical student from the Diocese of Ardagh
was ordained at Maynooth. His name was the E.ev. James
E-eynolds, Shortly after his ordination he was appointed
CC. of Grranard, where he remained only for a few months,
until he was called by Dr, Kilduff to come to Longford and
open there a superior day school for ecclesiastical and lay
students. Father E-e^molds was assisted by competent masters.
He was appointed principal or president, and conducted that
school with marked success. The students sent up from it to
Maynooth and other colleges reflected honour on the teachers
of St, Mel's Day School.

In 1858, Dr. Kilduff laid the foundation stone of St. Mel's
beautiful new college. The Bishop himself subscribed some
thousands of pounds to it. The parish priests and curates were
most generous in their donations towards its erection. The
laity of the diocese followed their good example, and in 1865
that magnificent college, erected at a cost of morethan £15,000,
was formally opened, free of all debt. It was a wonderful
triumph of charity and finance.

Father Beynolds was appointed its first President, and here
it will be proper to give a sketch of his career. The Rev. James
(now the Very Rev. Canon Reynolds, V.F.), was bornatBalin-
alee, in the Parish of Clonbroney, Co, Longford, of most respect-
able and wealthy parents. He received his preliminary educa-
tion in the Colleges of Cavan and Carlow, where he was amongst
the first called to premiums at the end of each academical
year. He entered the Rhetoric Class at Majmooth in the year
1850, and was called to the first premium at the end of that
year. He was equally successful in his other classes throughout
his entire course, having been called to first premium in

DR. KILDUFF. 271

Logics, Physics, Theology, and Scripture. He was not allowed to
go on the Dunboyne Establishment — the wants of theArdagh
Mission at the time having rendered it necessary that he should
leave Maynooth before the end of his fourth year's Theology.
Others like him, have had to endure this privation, and to regret
it. From many points of view, this is a matter to be regretted ;
for if he had been allowed to go on the Dunboyne establish-
ment, doubtless, his great talents, indomitable energy, and high
character, would have secured for him a Professor's chair in
that great college, and he would most probably have received
the fame acquired for Ardagh by Dr. O'Higgins, whilst he
was on the Professorial staff at Maynooth. But it was not so.
Father Reynolds was called home in 1856, and having passed
through the various gradations of the ministry, already
described, was appointed the first president of St. Mel's College
in 1865. The college was opened under bright auspices.
There were forty-eight boarders the first year, and twenty-five
day pupils. In the second year there were seventy boarders,
and thirty-five day pupils. In that same year its founder and
patron died. The college received a heavy blow in his death,
a blow under which it is yet reeling. He did all he could to
make its success permanent, having left by TFill two thousand
pounds sterling, invested in Dublin and Kingstown Railway
Debenture Stock, to the credit of the college for ever, the
interest to go to pay the yearly rent, thus leaving it free.

At the voting for the nomination of Dr. Kilduff's successor.
Canon Reynolds was declared dignus ; the Rev. Dr. McCabe
President, Irish College, Paris, dignior ; and the Very Rev. Dr.
Dawson, V.Gr., dignissimus.

Again, at the nomination of a successor to Dr. McCabe, Canon
Reynolds was one of the three ecclesiastics whose names were
sent to Rome for the vacant See ; the Venerable Archdeacon
O'Flanaghan having been declared dignissimus ; Dr. MuUooley,
prior, St. Clemente, Rome, dignior, and Dean Eivers and
Canon Reynolds, dignus each, by an equal number of votes.
Dr. Conroy, Secretary to His Eminence Cardinal CuUen, was,
however, appointed Bishop of Ardagh, and in the year 1871,
Dean Farrelly having died, the Very Rev. James Reynolds was
collated to the Parishes of Ardagh and Moydow, vacant by the
Dean's demise. In 1875, the Right Rev. Dr. Conroy, having
established the Diocesan Chapter, the Very Rev. James
Reynolds .was appointed Canon, and, in a few years after, Vicar-
Foreign of the Longford Deanery. Canon Reynolds is a pro-
found scholar and able preacher. He contributed some valuable
essays to the Record, at the time Doctors Moran and Conroy
were its editors. He bears the reputation amongst the clergy

272 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and laity, of a true, noble-minded, and generous-hearted priest ;;
thoroughly unselfish, and honourable in all his ways to a
■very high degree. A beautiful and noble monument of his
zeal and energy overlooks the village of Ardagh, and is visible
throughout that part of Longford for miles around — St.
Brigid's Gothic Church, of which William Hague, Esq., is the
architect. The worry and labour inseparable from such a vast
undertaking, impaired somewhat the robust frame of Canon
Reynolds. It will be for many long ages, an enduring and
graceful monument of his love for the beauty of God's House,
and the moral elevation of His people.

The Very Rev. Matthew Columb succeeded Canon Reynolds
as President of St. Mel's, in 1871. Father Columb was bom
in the Townland of Aughamore, Parish of Colombkille, County
Longford ; received his intermediate education at St. Mel's Day
School, Longford, presided over by the Yery James Reynolds,
where he obtained much distinction in his classes. In 1860, he
was sent by the Right Rev. Dr. KildufE to the Irish College,
Paris, to be prepared for the priesthood. His course there was
highly distinguished. He was ordained in 1865, returned to
Ardagh, and entered St. Mel's College that same year, as Pro-
fessor. In 1871, he was appointed its President ; the Yery James
Reynolds having been promoted to the imited Parishes of
Ardagh and Moydow. Father Columb held the presidency
imtil 1875, when he was promoted to his present benefice at
Kilashee.

The Yery Rev. Joseph — ^now Canon — ^Hoare succeeded him as-
President of St. Mel's, in the year 1875. He was born in April,
1842, at Ballymahon, and received his intermediate education
at Mount Melleray College and Canon Reynold's Day School,
Longford. In both places he carried off high distinctions.
He entered Maynooth College in 1861, and after a distinguished
course there, in his various classes, was ordained in 1867.

Having returned to Ardagh, he was appointed C.C. of St.
Mel's Cathedral, Longford, in October, 1867, where he laboured
with much zeal and efiiciency until 1875. In that year he was
promoted to the Presidency of St. Mel's College. In this new
sphere of duty he displayed great energy, and endeavoured by
all the means at his disposal to infuse a truly ecclesiastical
spirit and demeanour into the alumni of that college. Some
of the young priests ordained at St. Mel's, during the period of
his office, are now amongst the most exemplary curates labouring
in Ardagh, and reflect creditably their excellent training.
Canon Hoare, being an expert in Gregorian Chant, did much to
improve the whole tone and character of the singing at Solemn
Offices and High Masses de Requiem in Ardagh generally..

DR. KILDUFF. 273

Although his success in hac materia has been very considerable
and satisfactory, something more remains to be done. He was
a great favourite with Dr. Conroy, who made him executor to his
will; and most faithfully he discharged that trust. He was
appointed Canon in August, 1879, being introduced into the
Prebenda .... quam Rev. Presbyter Edvardus Mc
Gaver Parochus de Granard obtinebat.

In 1881 he was promoted to the Benefice of Street, County
Westmeath, where he is still. Canon Hoare is considered a
priest of very high principles and practice.

The Very Rev. James OTarrell succeeded him as President
of St. Mel's. He was born in the Townland of Ahara, Parish of
Legan, County Longford, in the year 1847. He was one of
the first boarders in St. Mel's, after its opening in 1865. Having
finished his intermediate course there, in 1867, he entered St.
Patrick's College, Maynooth, in August of that same year.
In both these Colleges he obtained premiums ; and was ordained
Priest, by the Right Rev. Dr. Conroy, on the Feast of the
Patronage of St. Joseph, on the 21st April, 1872. On the 2nd
May, same year, he was appointed Professor at St. Mel's, and
entered on his duties next day, which he continued to discharge
with much zeal and energy until 3rd April, 1875, when he was
appointed C.C. of Granard. There he remained until July,
1876, when he was translated to the Curacy of Banagher, King's
County. In 1881, he was promoted from Banagher to the
Administratorship of the important Parish of St. Mary, Athlone.
In September of the same year he was promoted from St.
Mary's, Athlone, to his present position, as President of St.
Mel's, which he so worthily holds.*

Dr. Kilduff's great love for the Holy See was manifested on
all suitable occasions, and more especially in 1859, when Pius
IX., of blessed memory, was assailed by wicked men, and the
dignity and independence attaching by divine right to his holy
ofiice placed in alarming dangers.

In that crisis, the Bishop of Ardagh was one of the first
prelates in Ireland to convoke an assembly of his clergy, and
the leading members, amongst the laity, and it was unanimously
resolved at that meeting, with an enthusiam and cordiality rarely
equalled, to present an address of sympathy to his Holiness.

* An historical narrative, regarding the foundation and completion of St.
Mel's College, should, in the opinion of the compiler, include a brief sketch of
its Presidents. It is admittedly a source of regret that some accurate record
of the Parish Priests and Bishops {i. e. of all Ireland), together with the
chief events of their administration, was not kept from the beginning. Such
a record would be a most valuable document in the hands of the future
historian, whom God will, doubtless, raise up to tell the true story of Ireland in
its fulness, when the proper time comes.

19

274 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

The following is a translation of it : —

To Our Most Holy Father, Pope Pius IX.

Most Holy Father,

We, the Bishop, Clergy, and people of the Diocese of
Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, prostrate at the feet of your Holiness,
beg to testify our sincere attachment and profound veneration
for your sacred person, and our heartfelt sympathy under the
most cruel wrongs, inflicted by designing and evil minded
men on your paternal and benevolent heart. The trials to which
your Holiness has been subjected, have awakened, throughout
the length and breadth of Catholic Ireland, the faith, the vene-
ration and deep affection of all your f aithfid children, and of
none more than of your faithful and devoted clergy and people
of the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. Our hearts have
been stung with the most poignant grief at witnessing the unjust
and sacrilegious efforts made by misguided and evil disposed
persons, to alienate from its lofty and sacred purpose the patri-
mony of St, Peter, and to subvert your Holiness' s temporal
rule — efforts, which have succeeded for the moment, in disturb-
ing the peace and security of your time-honoured dominions.
We are no less surprised than grieved, to learn that, amongst
those who synnpathise with, and openly abet the rebels, to your
mild and beneficent rule, are certain English statesmen who,
whilst ready to suppress with dread severity every attempt at
insubordination in the dependencies of Great Britain, have
become the unscrupulous abettors of resistance to your legit-
imate authority, and of the cause of anarchy and treason in
your temporal dominions. These embittered enemies of our
Holy Religion, having a thousand times suffered defeat in their
sacrilegious attacks on the CathoKc Church, have wickedly de-
vised this new mode of warfare, in the vain hope that by robbing
your Holiness of your temporal sovereignty they might succeed
in weakening and ultimately destroying your spiritual authority.
But in vain do they rage and plan their devices against the
Lord, and against His earthly Vicar ; He that dwelleth in the
Heavens shall laugh them to scorn. The Lord shall deride
them. Yes, most Holy Father, we take the liberty of respect-
fully assuring your Holiness, that on this head we have no fear
for the result of their impotent attacks. Though the worst
passions and direst efforts of wicked men be aroused and
levelled against the Rock of ages ; though heresy and infidelity
spend all the envenomed shafts of their malignant hate against
the Church founded on Peter ; yet will they only betray their
own helpless impotency, since God's Word, unchangeable as
God himself, has given us the infallible assurance that the

DR. KILDUFF. 275

'gates of Hell shall never prevail against it. We have, more-
over, most Holy Father, a great confidence, nay, a most certain
hope, that the storm which has been permitted to rage for a
while against the Holy See, shall not prevail to the detriment
of your full and entire liberty and perfect freedom from all
secular control in governing the Church of Grod ; and that the
same all-ruling Providence, which, for so many ages past, has
watched with special care over the States of the Church will,
in its own good time, calm the tempest and restore peace, order,
and tranquillity. Meanwhile, we shall continue to watch all
your trials with the deepest interest ; and be assured, most Holy
Father, that every indignity offered to your august person and
throne, and every attempt made by those enemies of God and
man against your sacred and inalienable rights shall increase
the intense grief and burning indignation of your most affec-
tionate and most devoted children. Our voices shall be united
with those of our Brethren throughout the world, in denounc-
ing every sacrilegious attempt to wrest from your Holiness
your ancient temporal dominion, so legitimately and so provi-
dentially acquired, and so long exercised by an illustrious line
■of Pontiffs for the best interests of God's Holy Religion, for
the Tiniversal progress and civilization of the human race. Nor
shall we cease to offer up our constant and earnest supplications
to the God of Justice, that He may speedily deliver His Vicar
on earth from the foul machinations of his enemies, who are
alike the enemies of God's Church, of truth, religion, and
justice. Finally, prostrate at the feet of your Holiness, we
•crave your Apostolical Benediction on your Holiness's most
humble, most devoted, and most obedient children and servants.
Here followed the signature of bishops, priests, and promi-
nent members of the laity.

The following letter from Dr. Newman, now His Eminence
Cardinal Newman, written to the Right Rev. Dr. Kilduff, before
his resignation of the Rectorship of the Catholic University,
cannot fail to be interesting, as indeed is everything coming from
the pen of the most gifted writer of our English language —
to whom the Catholic Church in Great Britain may point — and
it should be so in a especial manner to the admirers of the
■character and memory of Dr. KildufE, in that it shows the
esteem and confidence reposed in him by Dr. Newman.

Dublin, 2nd April, 1857.

My dear Lord,

I am sorry that my first letter to your lordship should

276 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

relate to the prospective termination of that confidential inter-
course with which the Bishops of Ireland have favoured me^
However, the lapse of time has brought me near the end of
that leave of absence from my duties at Birmingham which
my congregation gave me : and, independently of this, my^
strength will not allow me to undergo those frequent journey-
in o-s from Dublin to the Oratory, without which 1 cannot, even
partially, fulfil its rule.

I, therefore, propose to place my resignation in the hands of
the bishops in November next. It is now nearly six years
since I was first called on to devote my whole mind to the-
University ; and it is a subject of gratitude to me that I
have been able to serve it so long. It is also a satisfaction to
think that the first difficulties are over, and to recollect, accord-
ing to the proverb, that the first step is half the work.

I cannot withdraw from this great undertaking without
acknowledging the confidence that the Bishops of Ireland have
shown in placing me at the head of it, and the kindness with
which, according to their opportunities, so many of them have-
supported me in it,

I am, my dear Lord,

Your faithful servant in Jesus Christ,
John H. Newman,
of the Oratory.
The Eight Kev. Dr. Kilduff,
Bishop of Ardagh.

Dr. MacCABE
succeeded in 1867. He was a Priest of the Congregation of the-
Missions, and was elected Bishop of Ardagh by Propaganda,
on the 18th of November, approved by the Pope on the 24th,
and decreed on the 29th of same month, 1867. He was born
at Crosdrum, in the parish of Ballynachree, within three miles
of Old Castle, Diocese of Meath, in the year 1820. Fr. George
Leonard, the devoted P.P., took a lively interest in any boys in
whom he noticed piety, talent and industry — quaKties which
made him hope they were called to the priesthood. Young
Nial MacCabe was one of those in whom he took a lively
interest. The good and great Father Hand, founder of All-
Hallows, the largest foreign Missionary College in Europe, was
another. Both boys were born in the same locality, and the
edifying pastor of Castle Dollard used to call them his two most
beloved and distinguished disciples. Not content with the
opportunities afforded in his neighbourhood to receive a classi-
cal education, Nial MacCabe went to the south of Ireland to-

1)K, MACCABE.

277

•study under masters of renown. He afterwards became a pupil
in Navan Seminary, from whence, on account of liis distin-
guished ability, he obtained a place in Maynooth in the year
1838. During his whole collegiate course, while admired by
the superiors and professors for his piety and solid acquirements,
he was beloved by his fellow students on account of his amiable
and obliging character. It is no ordinary distinction to mark
his ability that in the Logic Class he was honoured with
a solus. At the term of his Theological Course he was
admitted on the Dunbojoie Establishment. During his first
year on the Dunboyne, while yet a sub-deacon, through love
for missions he applied at Castleknock to be admitted into the
Congregation of the Missions founded by St. Vincent de Paul.
His request being granted, he entered the novitiate at Paris in
the year 1844. At the end of the year he returned to St.
Vincent's College, Castleknock, and he was ordained Priest by
Archbishop Murray in August, 1845. He spent the first year
of his ministry as Professor in the College, and at its close he
was applied to the work of his predilection — missions in country
parishes. From the Mission House, St. Peter's, Phibsboro',
Dublin, he went on missions to various parts of the country.
In the intervals between these missions he increased his well-
stored mind in acquisition of professional knowledge, while he
displayed his zeal in his labours in the church attached to the
liouse, and his devotedness to the reformation of convicts in
Mount joy Prison. In the year 1856, a new Church of the
Congregation of the Mission was opened at St. Vincent's, Cork.
Dr. MacCabe, in succession to the venerated Bishop of Elphin,
Host Rev. Dr. Grillooly, was appointed Superior to take charge
of the community attached to it. In the furnishing of this
•church, and the labour spent in promoting the salvation of all
who frequented it, Dr. MacCabe displayed his most eminent
qualities.* He spent ten years of incessant labour in Cork, and
in different parishes, where he was employed as Director of the
Missions. In 1866, towards November, a Rector was wanted in
the Irish College, Paris, when Most Rev. J. Lynch, who
occupied that important office, was raised to the Episcopate ; the
•choice of Superiors fell upon the future bishop. Dr. MacCabe
was Rector of the Irish College little more than a year, when
the Holy See cast an eye on him to succeed in the government
of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise to his beloved confrere and fellow-

* He was a great favourite in Cork. Several of its most distiiiguishe<l
• citizens came to visit him at Longford, and amongst others, N. D. Murphy,
Esq., J.P., D.L., author of that admirable Book, on the Supremacy of St.
Peter. Mr. Murphy was most deservedly raised by the present Holy Father
..to the dignity of a Count of the Holy See.

278 PIOOESE OF ARDAGH.

labourer on missions, the mucli lamented and distinguishecE
Prelate, Most Kev. J. KildufE.

The news of Dr. McCabe's elevation to the Episcopacy was-
received with much joy and satisfaction by the Irish Hierarchy,
and many others who held his character in high respect and.
veneration, as the following letters will show : —

Rome, 3rd December, 1867.
My dear Dr. McCabe, —

I have waited till the oiEcial information of the nomina-
tion for Ardagh should be sent to Ireland and to yourself, to-
offer you my sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the result.
To you, personally, the nomination will be a matter of anxiety
and responsibility. But our good God who has so ordained it,,
will, through the intercession of our glorious Mother, St. Patrick,
and St. Yincent, give you all the strength and virtutem ex alto-
to render your administration useful to his divine honour and
the salvation of souls. It will be no small consolation to you
to know that all that you had put forward in your letter to the
Cardinal Prefect on the subject was taken into mature considera-
tion by the Sacred Congregation, and subsequently by the
Holy Father himself. So that you can happily look upon the
ultimate decision of His Holiness as that of our divine Lord
himself, calling upon you by the voice of his Yicar upon earth
to submit to this cross for His sake, and for the salvation of the
souls which He purchased at so dear a rate ; whilst He Himself
by His holy grace will lighten its weight on your shoulders,,
and smoothen the way before you : Adjuvat certantes qui certamen
indixit. In the meantime, St. Patrick and St. Vincent will look
out for the congregation and the college, so that your obedience
to the Yicar of Christ shall not redound to the prejudice of
either. We are all alive and well in Rome, after the late
dangers we escaped. Our liberation is acknowledged by all to-
be miraculous, considering the infernal plot which had been
laid for the ruin of the Pope and the city, on the 22nd October,
and the large invading force with which both were assailed from
without, on the following days, till the victory of Montana,
gained by 3,000 of the Pope's troops, aided by 2,000 French,
over an united force of Piedmoiitese regular troops and
Garibaldians, amounting to about double their number, destroyed
the projects of the wicked assailants, and again restored con-
fidence and security to the city, at least for the present. As to
the future, so visible has been the divine interposition on the
late occasion in behalf of the city, that it would look like down-
right infidelity to doubt of the same merciful protection for
the future, so all feel that we can say with the Apostle : Ej(^-

DR. MACCABE. 279''

omnibus his Uheravit nos Dominus ; in quo speramus quoniam et
adhuc eri/piet Our little flock here, D. G., is well. We arrived
from Tivoli on the terrible day, the 22nd October, of course
without knowing what had been prepared by the revolutionary
party for that night, which was so providentially prevented.
Please give my kindest remembrance to Fr. Burke, all your
other worthy colleagues. Dr. McHale, Mens. La Croix, &c.
Believe me, my dear Dr. McCabe, with most sincere and cordial
respects, and best wishes and prayers for your temporal and
eternal happiness and success in everything, in which I am
joined by Fr. Maher,

Yours sincerely and respectfully,

T. KiRBY.

Cavan, 16th December, 1867.
My dear Dr. McOabe, —

You I will not congratulate, but Ardagh I do most
heartily, on your elevation to the Episcopacy. Providence has.
been kind to the priests and people in giving them such a
successor to their lamented bishop. As regards myself, I look
upon your appointment as the greatest blessing. Your enlight-
ened prudence and zeal will be a guide for me, and be assured
my dear Lord, that it was with the most intense delight and
satisfaction the news of your appointment by the Holy See
reached me, as I always entertained a well-grounded hope that
you would be one day a member of the Irish Hierarchy. This
was a dream of mine before I had the pleasure of making your
jDersonal acquaintance, thank Gfod I have lived to see it realised.
Wishing you every blessing,

I am, my dear Lord,

Very sincerely yours,

*^ Nicholas Conaty.
Et. Rev. Dr. McCabe.

MulUncjar, Dec. IWi, 1867.
My dear Lord, —

Since I heard the glad news of your appointment I have
been incessantly engaged, and had not a single moment in which
I might drop you a line. Although we (the bishops) all along
knew for certain what was to happen, yet I never saw anything-
in the way of intelligence that gave us all such joy as when it
was announced to us all here the other day, at poor Dr. Cant-
w^ell's Anniversary. For my own part, this news is of infinite
relief to me, for, from the day of my appointment to the present

280 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

moment, I felt (as I think I hinted already), as if I were filling
a place that really belonged to another. The moment your
appointment became certain (and it was certain since the meet-
ing of the bishops) I was at once relieved of this unpleasant
feeling, and I began to be convinced that God had arranged
everything for the best. Of course you will, my dear Lord, have
your difficulties; but one thing is certain, there is more done for
religion in the way of churches, colleges, and schools in Ardagh,
than in any other diocese in Ireland, and I believe there is not
a more spirited or a better disposed clergy or people in Ireland.
I really think the whole country is overjoyed at your appoint-
ment. The sooner the arrangements for your consecration are
made the better ; and a sufficient interval ought to be left
between the time your arrangements are made and your con-
secration. Of course you will be consecrated in Long-
ford, your own cathedral. You will have to prepare a great
many things, but of course as my experience is quite recent I
will try to assist you to the best of my power. As soon as you
arrive in Ireland I hope to see you and tell you all I may
know.

I remain, my dear Lord,

Ever yours affectionately,

•J* Thomas Nulty.

The Palace, Killaloe,

Vdth December y '67.

My dear Lord, —

From my heart I congratulate you on the great honour
conferred on you by the Holy See, creditable to you and hope-
ful for the Church. You T\dll have the distinguished privilege
to take my place as last for the future, until you are promoted.
Do not fail to inform me of the day of consecration, at which
I shall be sure to attend. The poor old Irish College will miss
you ; but Grod will take care of it.

I am, my dear Lord,

In great haste, yours,

^ N. Power.
Et. Eev. Dr. MacCabe.

DR. MACCABE. 281

Anielie les Bains,

Pyrenees Orientelly.
I^Iy dear Dr. McCabe, —

Although I was morally certain that you were destined
to succeed our dear late Dr. Kilduff ; still, I was under some
apprehension that your own humility or usefulness in the Con-
gregation would stand in the way, but now I rejoice that God's
will has been made known, and that your Lordship's elevation
will be hailed with gladness throughout the Church, and will
confer upon the faithful of Ardagh a great blessing. Wishing
you and yours a merry Christmas and a happy New Year,
I remain, my dear Lord,

Ever faithfully yours,

►J^ John Brady.
Rt. Eev. Dr. McCabe.

Galicay, January 7th, 1868.
My dear Lord,

I am glad to be furnished with this opportunity of con-
gratulating your Lordship, or rather the Diocese of Ardagh, on
your well merited and deserved promotion to that See. I can
assure you, there is not a prelate in Ireland to whom the news
of your appointment could give more heartfelt pleasure than it
did to me. Indeed, on the very day the sad account of the
lamented death of my dear friend, your predecessor, reached
Rome, in common with some other prelates I fervently prayed
you would be his successor. Thank God it is so, and you
will allow the least worthy of the Irish Prelacy to give you a
hearty welcome to our ranks.

"Wishing your Lordship many a return of the New Year,
and praying God to grant you all the graces of your state,
I remain, my dear Lord,

Your devoted brother,

•^ J. MacEvilly.
Most Rev. Dr. MacCabe.

St. Patrick's, Maynooth,

Beceinber 27th, 1867.
My dear Dr. MacCabe, —

I have waited for news of the arrival of the Apostolic
Brief in order to write a few lines to you on what is in every
jjoint of view the most important crisis of your life. I know

282 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

you too well to address you in terms of commonplace congratu-
lation. I am very sure that to yourself, personally, the burden,
which has been laid upon you will be most unacceptable, and
that your personal happiness would be far better consulted by
your being left to the quiet of your own community and Con-
gregation. But I also know that whatever you may undertake,,
in obedience to what is clearly God's holy will, you will carry
through with a singleness of purpose, which will be at once a
source of peace to yourself, and of blessing to those who are-
intrusted to your charge. But my chief object in writing to
you, to whom I shall, henceforth, be responsible for a very
heavy trust, is to assure you of the iinfeigned satisfaction which
1 shall have in administering so much of my trust as concerns-
the Diocese of Ardagh, under a prelate whom I respect and
esteem so much, and whose views of the fitness of ecclesiastical
life and character are so entirely in accordance with my own.
I need hardly assure you further, my dear Lord, of my hearty
sympathy with you in all that concerns your high office, and
my earnest prayer that God may make it easy and full of
happiness for you.

May I beg to be affectionately remembered to all my friends-
in the Irish College, and to Ed. Kelly in particular.

Ever dear Dr. MacCabe,

Your most sincere and faithful friend,

C. "W. EUSSELL.

Paris, 30th December, 1867.

MONSEIGNEUR, —

J'ai I'honneur d'offrir a Yotre Grandeur la respectueuse-
et cordiale expression de mes felicitations, pour sa glorieuse
promotion a L'Eveche d' Ardagh.

Heureux Diocese ! qui va posseder un si digne, si doux, et
si sage pasteur.

On va dire partout : decidement le College Irlandais de-
Paris est une pepiniere d'Eveqnes. Cost und grand honneur
pour nous tons.

DR. MACCABE.

283?^

Je V0U8 envoie le document que vous m'avien demand^.
Yous le trouverez ci-inclus. je I'ai obtenu de la Nontiature.
Veuillez agreer, Monseigneur,

L'hommage de mon profond respect,
Le Sec. Gen. de la Grrande Aumonerie de France,
Administrateur du Fond Irlandaites,

Ch. Ouin-la Croix,
Chanoine de St. Denis,
Monseigneur MacCabe,
Eveque d'Ardagh.

Several other letters of congratulations from Bishops, dig-
nitaries, and other distinguished persons were received by Dr.
MacCabe on that joyous occasion.

Dr. MacCabe was consecrated at Paris, on the 2nd February,
the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, 1868. The
ceremony was performed by Mgr. Chigi, then Papal Nuncio at
Paris, and afterwards Cardinal at Eome, in the Chapel of
College des Irlandais, the assistant Prelates being Eight Rev.
Dr. Brady, Bishop of Perth, and Barth Maria Amanton, a
foreign Dominican Archbishop, then sojourning in Paris. In
that same city his body afterwards found a resting-place. A
few days after his consecration, he proceeded to Ireland and
took possession of his Cathedral at Longford. He resided in
the College of St. Mel's, in the same rooms occupied by his
predecessor. He went to work at once with much zeal and
energy. He had a great taste for public functions and cere-
monies in the Church, and manifested it in a striking manner.

In St. Mel's Cathedral and St. Mary's beautiful gothic
Chruch, Athlone, he had several High Masses celebrated on the
principal festivals. He usually pontificated himself, being
gifted with a full, musical, and well-cultivated voice. His singing
was much admired, especially in Athlone, where immense
crowds thronged the church whenever it was known that Dr. Mac
Cabe was to be the celebrant. Several Protestants and some
military men from the barracks in the neighbouring Parish of
St. Peter's often came to hear him. He was also a preacher of
considerable merit and distinction. His delivery was clear,
distinct, and easy. His manner quiet, dignified, and solemn,
his language flowing and simple, his matter well selected and
practical. He conducted his " Conferences " with marked
ability, showing a thorough acquaintance with the snhjecta
materia, and readiness to meet any unexpected objections or unfore-

:284

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

seen divergencies. In fact, it was quite evident that his Dun-
boyne training at Maynootk had remained and produced fruit.
In social life he was very amiable and simple. When amongst
ecclesiastics, exclusively, at their social gatherings he used to
sing, siihdehitis circumsfanfiis, some judiciously selected airs from
Moore's Melodies. His residence in Ardagh was too short to
have left any permanent material works behind. The hand-
some and commodious Presbytery in St. Mary's, Athlone, is,
I think, the only one. It may be, hereafter, useful to
observe that it was his intention to have made a cloister of
glass roof and frontage south, and solid masonry north side,
connecting the present Conference room in that house, with the
little Sacristy and Church, and to have Sacristy and Church
heated with hot- water pipes, and the cloister used partially as a
conservatory for well-selected plants and flowers, for the decora-
tion of St. Mary's Altars on special occasions — such as Holy
Thursday and Corpus Christi. The Conference Room he in-
tended to be used as a large Sacristy, on the occasion of great
and solemn functions. Dr. MacCabe paid special attention to
the Rubrics on the ceremonies of High Mass, and was very
anxious that the solemn Office of the Dead should be recited
DISTINCTLY and SLOWLY. He sailed from Ireland, in November,
1869, for Rome, to take part in the Vatican Council, where,
needless to say, he was heart and soul for the definition of the
Papal Infallibility. The writer had several letters from him
■during the Sessions of that Council, one of which is hereby
-given, to show the great interest he took in the Nuns of
JBanagher, and the advancement of St. Mary's Parish, Athlone.

Corso, 340.

Home, May 7th, 1870.
My dear Father John,

I am quite happy to learn that the Nuns of S*^- Union,
13anagher, will take Dr. Gleeson's house and premises, on the
terms stated in your interesting letter. I fully agree to all their
propositions, and let them come immediately. Their arrange-
ments will not interfere with Banagher or Moate, or any other
existing institution. The boarding school in Athlone will most
conveniently suit the whole diocese. Write again shortly. I
read your letters with much interest. The Cardinal arrived
here last night. His Eminence enjoys excellent health ; and all
the Irish Bishops in Rome are quite well.

Sincerely yours,

•^ N. MacCabe.
The Rev. John Monahan,
Administrator of St. Mary's, Athlone.

DR. MACCABE. 28.5-

In some six weeks after, telegrams reached Dublin announc-
ing tlie sad and unexpected news of Dr. MacCabe's death.
How true it is to say in the midst of life comes death.

After writing the above, the following communications fell
into my hands. At the time they were penned all looked bright
and hopeful for many years to come : Medio de fonte leporum
surgit amari aliquid.
Illustrissime ac Reverendissime D™®-

Ego indignus Eminentiae tuo gratias ago pro coUatis
beneficiis e suppliciter preces tuas pro me indigno servo tuo
implore.

Ego infra scriptus emisi Coram lUustrissimo ac E-evendissimo
Domino Chigi Nuncio Apostolico apud Lutetiam Parisiorum
Fidei Professionmn et Juramentum cujus exemplar Eminentiae
Tuse mitto.

Proxima die, scil secundo Februarii anno (MDCCCLXVIII)
1868. Episcopalem Consecrationem per manus praedicti Nuntii
Apostolici accepi, adsistentibus Illustr®^™° ac Reverend^^™°, D.D.
Fratre, Barth, Maria, Henrico, Amanton, Archiepiscopo, Theo-
dosiopolis in partibus ; et Joanne Brady, Episcopo Parthensis,
omnibus peractis juxta formam Pontificalis Pomani et Brevis a
Sancta Sede expediti.

Iterum implorans preces Eminentiae Tuae in Spiritu humili-
tatis et Peverentiae humillimus et obediens servus tuus,
Cornelius seu Nigellus MacCabe,
Consecratus in Episcopum Ecclesise Ardaghadensis
in Provincia Hiberniae Armacana.
Apud Lutetiam Parisiorum

lY. die Februarii Anno MDCCCLXYIII.

Illustrissime ac Eminentissime D™®-

Coram lUustrissimo ac Reverendissime Domino Chigi Nuntio
Apostolico apud Lutetiam Parisiorum ego infra scriptus emisi
Fidei professionem et Juramentum cujus exemplar Eminentise
Tuae mitto.

Proxima die scil secundo Februarii anni MDCCCLXYIII.
Episcopalem Consecrationem per manus praedicti Nuntii Apos-
tolici accepi, adsistentibus Illustr®^""^ ac Eevend^™^^, D.D. Fratre,
Barth, Maria, Henrico, Amanton, Archiepiscopo, Theodosiopolis
in partibus ; et Joanne Brady, Episcopo Parthensis, omnibus
peractis juxta formam Pontificalis Pomani et Brevis a Sancta
Sede expediti.

Cornelius MacCabe.
Apud Lutetiam Parisiorum

III. dii Februarii Anno MDCCCLXYIII.

:286 DIOCESE OF ARDyVGH.

Address to
MOST KEY. N. MacCABE

From the Priests of Ardagh, on the occasion of his taking pos-
session of his See.
My Lord, —

In the name of the priests and people of Ardagh and Clon-
macnoise, I have to offer you a formal but hearty welcome to
the government of this diocese. In you we recognise the
power, the authority, and the voice of the Holy See, and there-
fore do we offer to your lordship a true and loyal welcome, and
pledge ourselves, to the best of our ability, to work faithfully
with you, to co-operate earnestly with you, and to carry out
heartily the measures that your zeal and piety may put before
us. We appeal to the works already done imder the guidance
and encouragement of your sainted predecessors, as a testimony
of our true and steady loyalty to our bishop, and we hope that
your zeal and ability will enable us to complete the works already
begun, and even to initiate still greater things in the time to
•come.

The priests of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise have always met
the calls of duty and religion in a generous, self-sacrificing
spirit, and with God's blessing will ever continue to do so.

At the opening of your episcopal career, at this the first
day of your coming amongst us, we deem it a duty to offer you
a respectful and hearty welcome, and to assure you of the
earnest and zealous co-operation of the priests of Ardagh, in
whatever works you undertake for the glory of God's House,
for the care and relief of God's poor, and for the instruction and
protection of the people for whom you and we are responsible
to God.

Signed on behalf of the clergy,

Peter Dawson, V.G.,

Carrick-on-Shannon.

DR. MacCABE'S death.

It was imexpected by many, a great surprise to some ; but it
was most happy and edifying. He died as he lived — imder the
special care of His Holy Angels.

The great prelate who presides over the Diocese of Elphin
with so much dignity and efficiency — Dr. Gillooly — a Bishop
whose material as well as spiritual works are truly marvellous,
in number and magnitude, and of whom it was justly observed
on a memorable and historical occasion at Sligo, in the end of
August, 1884, " Si monumentum quasris circumspice,* " has

* The future ecclesiastical historian of Elphin will have abundant materials
for several interesting chapters on the life and labours of this truly great
prelate.

DR. MACCABE. 287

'kindly supplied the writer with the following particulars regard-
ing the last moments and death of Dr. MacCabe : —

In reference to Dr. MacCabe, it is true that I had the sad
•consolation of being with him at the time of his death. We
lived together in the Palazzo Pericoli, Corso, during the whole
time of the Council. We left Rome together — I think on the
'21 st July — and sailed from Oivita Vecchia for Marseilles. He
died there the second day after our arrival, having previously
received the last sacraments. In fact, he was dying when he
left Pome, and had been irrecoverably sick for weeks before,
but he could not be prevailed on to leave until the close of the
Council and definition of Papal Infallibility. I was present at
his death, and had his remains conveyed to Paris to the Mother
House of our Congregation. On the morning after their arrival
there, a solemn office and High Mass was celebrated in the
Lazarist Church, and immediately after a most impressive
funeral procession. The remains were conveyed to the Lazarist
Burial Ground in the Mont Parnasse Cemetery, extra muros,
where they repose. Nothing could exceed the honours paid to
his remains by the Parent Community in Paris (95 Pue de
Sevres). There were three Irish Bishops present with me at
the obsequies — the Bishops of Cloyne, Boss, and Down and
Connor."

The Month's Memory was held in due course, at St. Mel's,
Longford. Nearly all the northern prelates, and several others,
together with representatives of the clergy from the neighbour-
ing dioceses, and the Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Priests attended.
His Eminence Cardinal Cullen presided. The late Right Pev.
Dr. Dorrian of Belfast preached the panegyric. His Lordship
•observed — " I had the happiness of residing in the same house
with your departed Bishop, at Rome, since the beginning of last
December until the middle of last July, and I could not help
^being struck by his very great sanctity. We had in our house
a small chapel in which the Most Adorable Sacrament was kept,
•and he never left that house or returned to it ivithout having
visited our Blessed Lord for a feio moments. '^ Of the many
touching remarks of Dr. Dorrian, none affected the compiler as
much as that one — and there is none he remembers so loell — ^for
it brought vividly before his mind the edifxjing habits of the
sainted Bishop on the occasions of his visits to Athlone. In
the old presbytery there, a room was set apart for the Blessed
■Sacrament, and never, even once, did I observe that Dr. McCabe
•left the house without having gone into that room for a few
minutes, or that he returned without having done likewise. His
memory is as a sweet odour. Precious in the sight of the
iiord is the death of his saints.

288 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

DR. CONEOY succeeded.

George M. Coxroy was born in 1833, on the 1st Janua7\"
at Dundalk. His parents were highly respected in their owa
parish and neighbourhood. He came of a Levitical family. He-
received his primary education at Dromisken, and was after-
wards sent to an Intermediate School in Dundalk. In 1848,
he was placed as an alumnus in the Diocesan College at
Armagh. In all those schools he gave signs of his future-
distinction. In 1850 Archbishop CuUen gave to him first
place at the Annual Concursus, and afterwards sent him to
Propaganda College, Rome. In this centre of learning he-
rose to the highest distinctions, having obtained the degrees
of Bachelor of Philosophy and S. T. D. Before he had
completed his collegiate training in Rome, Dr. CuUen
was promoted to Dublin, and soon after manifested an especial
interest in the successful management of All-HaUows Missionary
College. Wherefore, Dr. Conroy, having completed his studies
at Rome, was appointed a Professor in that College, under the-
Presidency of Dr. Woodlock, now the Yenerated Bishop of
Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. This event took place in 1857.
He continued to discharge, with striking efficiency, the duties-
of Professor in that Institution until 1866, when he left and
became Secretary to His Eminence Cardinal Cullen. He
also was appointed Chaplain to Mountjoy Prison, and after-
wards became co-Editor of the Ecclesiastical Record, with Dr.
Moran, now Cardinal Moran of Sydney. In each and aU of'
these offices he rendered distinguished services. In 1871, Dr.
Conroy was called to the Episcopacy in Ardagh, and was.
consecrated in St. Mel's Cathedral on the 11th April.
His Eminence Cardinal Cullen was the consecrating prelate,
and the Right Rev. Dr. Dorrian preached on the occasion.
The yoimg bishop gave himself up, heart and soul, to the
arduous duties of his high office. His labours were not con-
fined to his own diocese. His gradually growing fame as a
preacher brought to him many invitations from neighbouring
prelates and priests to preach on special occasions. The late
Cardinal Eranchi was a great friend and admirer of Dr.
Conroy's many striking qualities, and recommended him to His
Holiness, as Delegate Apostolic to India, which appointment
the young bishop begged to be excused from accepting, on
account of the extreme heat of the climate. His lordship was
shortly after sent to Canada on a similar mission. About the-
beginning of May, 1877, the Bishop of Ardagh left Ireland,,
invested with full authority as Apostolic Delegate to Canada.

DR. CONROY. 289

There he discharged his functions with brilliancy and skill. In
"the following year his constitution, never very robust, began to
decay, owing to the heavy and incessant labours inseparable
from his delicate and trying mission, together with the severity
of the climate. His final illness came upon him in Newfound-
land, in the house of his highly-valued friend, the Right Rev.
Dr. Power, Bishop of that See. All that medical science could
do for him was done by most eminent physicians, but in vain.
He died a most holy death, surrounded by Dr. Power, his con-
fessor, and two Sisters of Mercy, on the 4th of August, 1878.
His last words were " My God, accept the sacrifice of my life."
His remains were conveyed to Ireland to be buried in his own
Diocese of Ardagh.

Before they were taken to Longford, they were placed in the
Cathedral, Marlborough-street, Dublin, where a solemn office
and High Mass were celebrated for the repose of his soul, in
presence of Cardinal CuUen, who presided, other prelates and
several clergy. Afterwards they were removed to his own
cathedral at Longford, whither came several bishops, the
priests of Ardagh, and many from the adjoining Sees, to take
part in the funeral obsequies.

The remains of this highly distinguished prelate were
interred in the little Cemetery of the Sisters of Mercy, Long-
ford. A beautiful Irish cross has been placed over his grave.
R. I. P. A graceful and elegant memoir of this great bishop
has been written with much skill and judgment by his esteemed
friend the Very Rev. Canon Hoare, P.P., Street, Co. West-
meath, and is to be found in that valuable book, entitled :
" Occasional Sermons, Addresses, and Essays by the Right
Rev. Dr. Conroy." I beg to refer the reader to it for further
particulars regarding Dr. Conroy. I shall only add, that his
lordship was a man of those broad and elevated views which
much foreign travel generally imparts to cultivated minds.
He spoke the French and Italian languages with considerable
ease and fluency. He was what the French call nn homme des
affaires. He had the reputation of being a good Latinist, and
of writing pure English with much grace. He was also an
able theologian. The writer had the honour of being invited
to accompany his lordship, in 1874, to the Catholic University
on the occasion of Doctors Magrath and O'Kane, students of
Clonliffe College, having offered themselves as candidates for
the degree of S. T. D. His Eminence Cardinal Cullen presided.
The rector, the Right Rev. Dr. Woodlock, had succeeded in get-
ting the Right Revs. Drs. Moran and Conroy, together with Drs.
Molloy and Walsh of Maynooth, to come and object to the
-propositions defended by the youthful aspirants to the D.D.

20

290 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

It was a most brilliant display. Dr. (now his Eminence) Mora»
objected to the proofs of the Real Presence in the Most Ador-
able Eucbarist, taken from tbe words of promise in the sixth,
chapter of St. John. Dr. Conroy objected to the authenticity
of that celebrated text to be found in the First Epistle of
John, c. 5, V. 7, from which a proof is taken to establish the
CathoKc doctrine regarding the Blessed Trinity. Dr. (now
His Grace Archbishop) Walsh, objected to the doctrine of
Transubstantiation, and Dr. Molloy, to the proofs usually taken
from the " Words of Institution." It was a most learned expo-
sition of doctrine and learning all round ; the audience was-
select and critical. Those amongst them who were educated at
Majmooth were brought back in thought to the public Theses-
on the Dunbo}Tie Establishment, at the end of each Academical
Year, in its best days. But the form of Thesis at the Catholic-
University was somewhat different, being altogether Roman.
The candidates obtained, and most deservedly, the high honours -
they came to contend for. After a brief reference to Dr.
Conroy's diary, a Sermon and Essay will be reproduced in these
collections, as a sample of what he was as a preacher and
writer. I have only to add, that it was generally said in well-
informed circles, the Apostolic Delegate to Canada would, if.
he had lived a few years more, be elevated to the Cardinalite.

A. M. D. G.

Register of Episcopal functions and acts.

Dies peregrinationis mae .... pauci et mali et non
pervenerunt usque ad dies patrum meorum quibus peregrinati
sunt. — Gen. xxxii. 9.

f^^ GEORGE CO^^ROY,

Bisho}) ofArdagh and Clonmacnoise.

This Diary was regularly and accurately kept down to the
2nd December, 1874. Probably there was a second from that
date down to his last illness; if so, it has been mislaid or lost.
The text from Genesis is remarkable when considered in con-
nexion with his early death. This register contains the follow-
ing entries : " Preached for the first time to the people of
Longford ; Gospel was the ' Pax vobis.' 29th September,
visited Louise Lateau, the stigmata, and witnessed her ecstasies
and saw the wounds. 1st Nov. 1871, laid the foimdation
stone of St. Joseph's Convent, Longford. 27th Feb. 1872,.

AND CLONMACNOISE. 291

Office and Pontifical Higli Mass for tlie late Countess of
Granard, at St. Mary's, Newtownf orbes ; preached panegyric.
Mongri B. Beni Archp. Mosul, the Right Eev. Doctors
Gillooly, Nulty, MacCormack, and Duggan were present, and
dined at St. Mel's in the evening. The rest of the entries are
of the ordinary kuid belonging to a bishop's office.

ST. KYRAN OF CLONMACNOISE.

"He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my
God ; and he shall go out no more and I will write upon him the name of my
God." — Apoc, iii. 12.

Solemn and touching is at all times the Catholic rite of
dedicating churches to Almighty God, under the invocation of
his saints.

Especially solemn, however, and especially touching, is
that rite as we have witnessed it here to-day, when, almost
within sight of the gray towers of Clonmacnoise, a church has
been dedicated in honour of its founder, St. Kyran, patron of
this ancient diocese. The spirit of the place has added to the
majesty of the religious ceremony a significance peculiarly its
own. As we stand here on this plain of Clonmacnoise, the
Christian life, as it was understood and practised by our fathers
some thirteen centuries ago, comes back upon us in the
beauty of its almost unearthly perfection ; and from the very
foundations of this temple spring memories that find for them-
selves a voice in column and arch and altar, until the entire
edifice becomes eloquent of the sacred glories of ancient Ireland.
This is, in very truth, a temple of God ; dowered, as the
Church sings, with the Father's glory, espoused in love to the
lloyal Christ, radiant with the Spirit's gifts ; but in it, as in
that other temple of which my text speaks, Christ has set up
a pillar, which He Himself would have us admire. It is a
mystic pillar, hewn of living rock from out the kindly Irish
earth, fashioned by God's hand, and the culture of Irish
schools, into the sainted founder of Clonmacnoise, whose heroic
sanctity, as monk, priest, and abbot, made him what Alcuiu
styles him : the glory of the Irish race.

Other churches in honour of St. Kyran have been raised
before now in the favoured spots of Ireland, where he had
successively resided ; but time and the spoiler's hand wasted them,
and the church that we dedicate to-day is to take their vacant
places. Their record, too, of the saint was but partial and
fragmentary ; for the direct purpose of each was to com-
memorate chiefly that single phase of his life, of which its own

292 UIOCESE OF ARDAGH

site had been the scene : this new church will collect and
revive the entire cycle of the memories that otherwise would
perish with their crumbling walls. Two years ago these hands
laid, as its foundation, a stone reverently gathered from the
walls of Clonmacnoise, and bearing engraved upon it the mystic
sign of their works. Springing thus from a sacred symbol,
this church shall be a symbol itself, as a tree produces fruit
after its kind; audits office shall be twofold. It shall address
itself to men and to God. To men it shall proclaim Ireland's
abiding reverence for St. Kyran's virtues ; to God it shall
speak Ireland's prayer for his intercession.

Such a monument, and at this time, was demanded by
the piety of Catholic Ireland. That St. Kyran's virtues should
never be without honour in Ireland was announced to himself
thirteen centuries ago, in Arran, when first he narrated to his
beloved master, St. Enda, the vision that had been vouchsafed
him of the future glories of Clonmacnoise. He had seen the
noble stream of Shannon flowing among these verdant plains,
and on its banks a stately tree, laden with leaves and fruits,
and covering the land with its grateful shade. " That fruitful
tree," explained St, Enda, "art thou thyself ; for thou shalt be
great before God and man, and shalt produce sweetest fruits of
good works, and shalt be honoured throughout all Ireland."
First fruits of these good works were the monastic virtues exer-
cised by our saint in Arran. He entered that holy island in the
bloom of his youth, and for the long years he sojourned there
he was, as St. Enda described him, " the flower and strength of
religious observance." His life was a pattern of humility. For
seven years, well-born and scholarly as he was, he toiled with
his hands at those labours which men commit to the least im-
portant of their servants. He would fain continue to the end
in the practice of obedience ; and even when, at length, he was
compelled to become the master of others, he prayed that he
and his charge might still continue under the guidance of St.
Enda. His austerity was marvellous. Lashed by the Atlantic
waves, swept by the Atlantic .blasts, the island of Arran was the
home of penance and mortification. Hundreds of Ireland's
saints fled to it, as the anchorets had fled to the desert soli-
tudes of the Thebaid. "Arran,'' says a recent writer, "is no
better than a wild rock. It is strewed over with the ruins,
which may still be seen, of the old hermitages ; and at their
best, they could have been but such places as sheep would
huddle under in a storm, and shiver in the cold and wet which

would pierce through the chinks of the walls Yes, there

on that wet soil, with that dripping roof above them, was the
chosen home of these poor men. Through winter frost, through

AND CLONMACNOISE. 293

rain and storm, through summer sunshine, generation after
generation of them, there they lived and prayed, and at last
laid down and died." Most fervent among these austere men
was our St. Kyran, who made of his innocent body a martyr of
penance. As day followed after day, and week after week, and
month after month, for seven long years, he ceased not to sacri-
fice his will by minutest obedience, his body by severe labour,
his repose by incessant prayer ; and this with the flinty rock
for his bed, with coarse and scanty food, in poor attire, exposed
to frost and sun, buffeted by wind and snow. And as he was a
miracle of humility and of penance, so also was he a miracle of
sweetest charity. As his penitential life tells eloquently of his
love for God, so the story of his parting from his brethren, when
he was called away from Arran to Clonmacnoise, as related
in the ancient Life of St. Enda, is a proof of his loving heart
towards men. As the boat that was to carry him to the banks
of the Shannon was spreading its sails to the breeze, St. Kyran
came slowly down from his beloved cell, weeping and sur-
rounded by his weeping brethren. Tenderly his gaze lingered
on each familiar sanctuary, as he passed onwards to the beach,
and there, kneeling down, he asked, for the last time, the
blessing of the father of his soul. In sign of the charity that
filled their hearts, and of the brotherhood they had contracted
between themselves and those who were to come after them, a
cross was erected on the spot, and the two saints said : " Whoso-
ever in after times shall break the loving bond of this our
brotherhood, shall not have share in our love on earth, nor in
our company in heaven," Near to where that cross stood, a
church was erected to commemorate the virtues of St. Kyran,
as the perfect Religious. That church I have visited and found
a ruin. For centuries it told the history of St. Kyran' s reli-
gious perfection ; and now that its stones are scattered, and its
altar made desolate, would it not be a reproach to Irish Catholics
if they were to allow to perish, for ever, the memories it was
set up to record. From such a reproach the church we have
dedicated to-day has saved us. These new walls take up the
testimony of these old ones, in their decay, and tell us of the
perfect monk who toilsomely earned, in Arran, the merits that
were to enrich Clonmacnoise. Here to-day we set up once again
the cross which Enda and Kyran erected in Arran, as a pledge
of brotherhood between themselves and those who were to come
after them. And by a sweet providence of God, and as if to
declare this church heir to the office of that from which
thirteen hundred years separate it, the Bishop who dwells
nearest to St. Enda's Arran has come to Clonmacnoise to-day
to join at the foot of that cross, in loving brotherhood and com-

294 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

mxmion of sacrifice, him -who, most unworthily, holds there the
place of St. Kyran.

From Arran, St. Kyran came to this part of the valley of
the Shannon, but not as yet to settle in Clonmacnoise. He was
now a priest ; and on the island of Inis-Oenghin, in Lough Ree,
he practised for eight or nine years the virtues of the perfect priest,
with as much fervour as he had practised on Arran those of the
perfect monk. Surrounded now by disciples of his own, con-
stituted a teacher of the faith, and a dispenser of the sacra-
ments, it was no longer permitted to him to shun altogether
the concourse of men. But he did all that he could to guard
from the world's tainted breath the gifts he had received, and
the souls that had been entrusted to his charge. St. Ambrose
describes to us the attractions which islands, such as those that
stud the noble expanse of Lough Ree, possessed for the religious
men of that age. They loved, he says, those islands "which,
as a necklace of pearls, God has set upon the bosom of the
waters, and in which those who would shun the pleasures of the
world may find a refuge M-herein to practise austerity, and
save themselves from the snares of life. The water that encom-
passes them becomes, as it were, a veil to hide from mortal eye
their deeds of penance ; it aids them to acquire perfect conti-
nence ; it feeds grave and sober thought ; it has the secret of
peace ; it repels the fierce passions of earth. In it these faithful
and pious men find incentives to devotion. The mysterious
sounds of the waves call for the answering sounds of sacred
psalmody ; and the peaceful voices of holy men mingled with
the murmur of the waters against the shore, rise harmonious to
the heavens." Here, then, did St. Kyran lead the life of the
perfect priest. Here did he practise the rule of a priest's life,
that had been given to him at Arran, which his fellow-student,
St. Carthage, has written for us, and which tells us of " the
patience, humiKty, prayer, fast, and cheerful abstinence ; of the
steadiness, modesty, calmness, that are due from a leader of
religious men, whose office it is to teach, in all truth, unity,
forgiveness, purity, rectitude in all that is moral ; whose chief
works are the constant preaching of the Gospel for the instruc-
tion of all persons, and the sacrifice of the Body of the great
Lord upon the Holy Altar ! " (Eule of St. Carthage.) Here
did he reach the perfection to which an ancient Irish Treatise
invites all priests : that " their hearts should be chaste and
shining, and their minds like the foam of the wave, or the
colour of the swan in the sunshine ; that is, without any particle
of sin, great or small, resting in his heart ! " And here
another church was raised to perpetuate the memory of his
virtues. Alas ! that church also is in ruins. The wild briar

DR. CONROY. 295

5?rows in the place of sacrifice, and where saints expounded
the mysteries of the faith, few are ever seen, save, perhaps,
thoughtless seekers after pleasure. But, in this new St.
Kyran's, the memory of his priestly virtues shall find a new
sanctuary.

Right fittingly shall those years of teaching, of sanctifica-
tion, and of sacrifice be represented at this altar, where the
same victim he offered is immolated; at these tribunals of penance,
where the same priestly power of loosing and binding is exer-
cised ; in this pulpit from which the same faith is preached.

At length the day came in which, about the year 544, he
who was already the perfect monk and the perfect priest was
to become also the perfect abbot : founder and ruler of the
glorious monastery of Clonmacnoise. How splendid were the
virtues that adorned St. Kj^ran, as the perfect abbot, let Clon-
macnoise itself proclaim ! It was long the most celebrated
religious house in Ireland. It was the mother of countless
saints ; it was a treasure-house of graces ; it became the chief
seat of learning in Ireland ; it was a school of art and literature.
Kings esteemed it an honour to build its walls with their royal
hands. The Emperor Charlemagne sent rich presents to it,
through Alcuin. The chieftains and princes of Erin bestowed
their gifts upon it, until, in lands and treasures, in precious
«halices and sparkling gems, in stately churches and rich
crosses, it was the wonder of many lands. To be laid to rest
beneath its earth, as near as might be to the relics of St. Kyran,
was a privilege coveted by the noblest in the land.

Bright with dew, and red-rosed, as it is styled in an old
Irish poem, it was not its sunny meads, or its bright flowers,
that won for it such esteem : it was Ireland's faith in the power
of its founder's intercession. And yet he to whose merits all
this was due, ruled over the monastery he had founded for the
short space of less than a single year. After seven months of
labour there, he passed to his reward, and there beyond he rests,
awaiting his glorious resurrection. There also, as was meet,
arose a church in his honour. Among the churches that crown
with their ruins the swelling hill, there is one named after the
sainted abbot, and close to his venerable grave. But if it were
painful to see the scattered walls of the church on Arran, that
told of the virtues of his youth — if it were painful to mark the
desolation of the church on Inis-Oenghin, that once spoke of
the virtues of his riper years — much more painful is it to see,
not merely the ruin, nor the desolation, but the desecration of
the church that stands in Clonmacnoise, to tell what its sainted
abbot was, and point to where he lies ! Far from me this day
hs the thought of wounding, by any words of mine, the religious

296 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

sentiments of others ; but I cannot refrain from lamenting, in,
the bitterness of my soul, that " our holy places are come into
the hands of strangers ; our temple is become as a man with-
out honour." — 1 Mach. ii. 12. What sia have his people done
that their father's grave should have become the dishonoured
temple of heresy ? Some consolation, however, it is, that the
ceremony of this morning has made atonement to the outraged
honour of the saint of our hearts. Yes ; there is joy in the-
thought that here, in his own Clonmacnoise, this beautiful
temple has been raised under the invocation of his name. What^,
if the Atlantic spray dashes unresisted over St. Kyran's ruined
church ia Arran ; what, if St. Kyran's church on Inis-Oenghin
is roofless and desolate ; what, if even St. Kyran's church at
Clonmacnoise has been violated and degraded — have we not in
this new St. Kyran's what will surpass the glories of the old ?"
Blessed, then — a hundred times blessed — be the hands that
built its walls and bade its stately arches arise ! Blessings on
you, first of all, O good pastor, Avith your helpers in the
ministry ! Blessings on you, faithful children of St. Kyran,.
who in the sweat of your brow, and by the toil of your hands —
in the early dawn and when the sun was setting — added to
your daily tasks, already heavy, the labour of bringing toge-
ther materials for the building ! Blessings on you, too, who^
whether out of your poverty or out of your riches, provided
means wherewith to carry on that good work ! Proceed with
courage till that work be gloriously completed. But if you would
work successfully, remember what manner of men were those
who preceded you in the task. The church you are bidlding is
to be the heir of all the glories that shone in the churches-
formerly raised to St. Kyran ; if so, your souls must be pure as
those saints of Arran, your hearts faithful to Catholic truths,
like those of the ecclesiastics in Inis-Oenghin ; and your hands-
generous, as those of the kings and nobles who built up Clon-
macnoise. These royal and illustrious patrons are gone ; and
you, their children, are servants where they once were lords.
But their blood runs in your veins, and, better even than their
princely blood, their faith glows in your hearts. They have
bequeathed to you their work : be worthy of your sires, and let
Ireland once more possess in Clonmacnoise a monument worthy
of her undying love for St. Kyran, the perfect monk, the per-
fect abbot.

And now let the solemn rite of sacrifice proceed, and let the
Pure, Holy, and Unspotted Host be offered up for the first
time within these newly -hallowed walls. But as for us, let
us bow our unworthy heads to the dust, while enters the shin-
ing company of saints and angels, who come hither to keep

POSITIVISM. 297"

the hifrh festival. They are coming, the Saints of Arran —
Enda, Finnian, and Columba, and with them they lead the
white-robed crowd of religious men, among whom St. Kyran
spent his youth. Coming are the sainted priests and holy
Levites, whom he taught and sanctified in his island home in
Lough Ree. And you, too, are here, you countless throngs
of the saints of Clonmacnoise. Bishops and abbots, kings and
chieftains, doctors and scholars, chaste youths, and consecrated
virgins. Coming, too, is the host of heaven, with glowing
hearts and celestial song of triumph, encompassing Mary as she
progresses to meet her Son.

Enter, then, 0 Lord Jesus Christ, enter then into this sanc-
tuary which our hands have made, to crown and seal its dedica-
tion by the mystic outpouring of thy precious Blood upon
this altar ! And lead with Thee our patron, St. Kyran, who,
for Thy love, did overcome the world, and establish him, accord-
ing to Thy promise, as a pillar in this Thy temple, that he mav
go out no more from among us. Write his name, together
with Thine own, O God, on the great heart of Ireland, as we
bave written them together to-day upon the face of this temple,
and grant that when time shall have dissolved it in ruin, like
its predecessors, Thy name, and the names of the saints Thou
bast given her, may be found imperishably united and living in.
lier love. Amen,

POSITIVISM.
I.

Early in 1828 a handful of men- assembled in a modest
lodging, in a quiet street in Paris, to hear a youthful teacher
of mathematics explain a new system of Philosophy of the
Sciences. The system, then first proposed, rose above the
philosophical horizon, like a cloud no bigger than a man's
hand, and, apparently, with little to distinguish it from the
many systems that daily rise only to disappear,

Thirty-eight years have since elapsed, and each succeeding
year has seen that cloud grow larger and blacker, until, at
length, it threatens to hide from the sight of men all that is
bright in the entire arch of heaven. The influence of the
Positive Philosophy has gone on, ever steadily increasing, since-
the day on which it was inaugurated by its founder, August©

"298 DIOCESE OF AllDAGH.

Oomte ; and day by day its influences still increases. That
influence is deadly beyond all example. Whatsoever it touches
it breaks to pieces. Other systems of philosophy have been
a revolt on the part of reason, as against religion ; Positivism
makes war on both religion and reason. Other philosophies
bave set forth solutions of the great problem of man's destiny ;
solutions, no doubt, various, false, and contradictory in them-
selves, yet each sincerely professing to be a solution. Positiv-
ism declares any attempt at a solution to be a delusion or
audacity. The existence of a personal and living God, the im-
mortal soul, free-will, faith, prayer, Providence, conscience, truth
— all that makes the moral life of nations and of individuals —
must disappear before its corroding negations. It would ruth-
lessly tear man from every hope in the divine promises, and
would check the outpourings of the heart towards our heavenly
Father. To be without God in this world is the highest
wisdom it sets itself to teach.

We propose, in this paper, to give some account of the
members of the Positivist School in France and in England.
It is the misfortune of our time and position, as Irish Catho-
lics, that if we would read the current literature at all, we
must expose ourselves to the influence of writers whose
thoughts and language are coloured, without our knowing it,
by the spirit of some pagan system. Reviews, magazines,
journals, histories, even the very novels that circulate in
thousands among Catholics, are often so many channels of
insidious influence established in the interests of a most perni-
cious naturalism. It is a sore scandal that Catholic journals
should admit into their columns praise and recommendations
of such works. It would be a useful undertaking, if one were
to set forth in plain language the various doctrines which inspire
the leading periodicals habitually read by millions. How many
would be surprised to find their favourite writer or review to be
in reality the apostle of 'some system, subsersive not only of all
that the reader holds as sacred in religion, but even of the
principles upon which he unhesitatingly rests his theories of
right and duty as towards society? How many would be
astonished to learn that the scientific, or poetical, or tenderly
emotional writing concerning God, upon which their simple
piety is wont to rest with delight, is nothing else than a roun-
about way of denying altogether the existence of a personal
<Tod !

The first place in our notice is due to Auguste Comte, the
founder of the Positivist philosophy and religion. The sources
whence we have drawn our information are eminently favour-
able to him, seeing that they are the writings of those who

POSITIVISM. 299

^are personal friends of his own, and devoted adherents of his
•system, Mr. George Henry Lewes {Fortnightly Reuieio, No.
XYI., 1866, pp. 385, 410,) lately published a sketch of M.
Gomte, based on the writer's personal knowledge of the man,
and on the statements of M. Littre and of Dr. Robinet, the
Philosopher's physician. No man in England has done more
for Positivism than Mr. Lewis ; no man is more thoroughly
23enetrated with the spirit of the new philosophy. In following
him as closely as we can, in the sketch he has drawn of the
master, we are safe from being unjust to the memory of
Comte.

Auguste Comte was born of Catholic parents, at Mont-
pellier, on the 19th January, 1798. When nine years of age
he became a boarder in the Montpellier Lycee, where he soon
became remarkable alike for talent and resistance to discipline. At
the age of twelve, having exhausted the course of studies usual
at the Lycee, he was allowed to begin mathematics. In these
he made such proficiency, that in his sixteenth year he had
already gained a first place at the Poly technique. At the age of
•seventeen he was admitted to the Ecole Polytechnique, and
there fully sustained the brilliant reputation for capacity he
had acquired in his earlier years. In a short time, however, his
rebellious spirit showed itself by an act of insubordination of a
^rave character. This led to his expulsion, and to his being
placed for a time under the surveillance of the police.

Long before this event, he had cast off both the religious
helief and the roj^alist tendencies in which his parents would
have trained him. At fourteen he is supposed to have been a
complete infidel. He was deeply read in the irreligious and
revolutionary literature for which the eighteenth century was
remarkable. It may be easily imagined that his pious parents
were deeply afflicted at the sad change that had been wrought
in their son, and that they became intensely anxious about his
future career. Their anxiety was deepened when he announced
to them his fixed intention of proceeding to Paris. They
remonstrated and threatened, but remonstrances and threats
were equally powerless against his obstinacy. He went to
Paris, and by the aid of a few friends, earned for himself a
scanty subsistence by giving private lessons in mathematics.
For the space of three weeks he acted as Private Secretary to
Casimer Perier ; from Perier he passed, in 1818, to St. Simon,
with whom he lived for six years. His intimacy with this man
began in enthusiasm on Comte's part, and ended in a violent
rupture, which was the result of difference in opinion between
the old philosopher and his younger friend.

According to Mr. Lewes, Comfce owes to St. Simon's influence

300 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

only this : a conviction that the revolutionary work of the-
eighteenth century was complete, and that the work of the
nineteenth century should be towards a reconstruction of society
on a new basis. However this may be, it was in 1822, about
four years after his first meeting with St. Simon, that Comte-
laid the foundations of the new philosophy, " which he called
positive, because it was the generalization of the method which
each positive science had employed in particular." (p. 388).
In that year he published his Plan des Travaux Necessaires pour
Reorganiser la Societe. In 1825 he published in the Producteiir,.
Considerations Philosophiques sur les Sciences et les Savants, and
Considerations sur le Nouveau Puvoir Spirituel. These essays
contain an outline of the Positive Philosophy : —

"There it is shown (1) that all phenomena, even those of
politics, are subject to invariable laws ; (2) that the human
mind passes from initial to theological conceptions to final positiA'O
conceptions; (3) that human activity, in like manner, passes
through industrial regime, through the transitional state of a defen-
sive military regime ; (4) that everywhere, and at all times, the
state of opinions and manners determine the institutions, and that
the nature of the general beliefs determines a corresponding poli-
tical scheme; (5) that philosophy (or general belief s) in passing
from the theological to the positive stage must bring about the
substitution of the industrial for the military regime; and, finally,
that the spiritual reorganisation, which is the necessary con-
dition of all social reorganisation, must repose upon the authority
of demonstration, it must be based upon science, with a priest-
hood properly constituted out of the regenerated scientific
classes. In other words, the spiritual authority must issue from-
a philosophy which can be demonstrated, not from a philosophy
which is imagined " (pp. 389, 390.")

This year is remarkable also for his marriage with Caroline
Massin, an event which exercised a pernicious influence on his
after life. The marriage was singularly unhappy. He abso-
lutely declined all religious ceremony in contracting it. After
years of vexatious quarrels, the parties separated in 1842. We
may here add that, in 1845, whilst his wife was yet living, he
first met Madame Clotilde de Yaux, whose husband also was
living, but condemned to the galleys for life. Mr. Lewes
remarks that each of them, though morally free, was legally
bound. "Marriage being thus impossible," says our author,.
" they had only the imperfect yet inestimable consolation of a
pure and passionate friendship." She died the next year^
" The remainder of his life was a perpetual hymn to her memory.
Every week he visited her tomb. Every day he prayed to her>
and invoked her continual assistance " (p. 401).

POSITIVISM. ■ 301

The extravagant nonsense wliicli Comte has written about
tliis woman is almost incredible. To her influence he attributes
whatever of tenderness his system exhibits. She was the
Beatrice of the new Dante, and, had she lived, was destined to
become the priestess, or rather the goddess of the new religion.

At the time of his marriage Comte had but one pupil in
mathematics ; that pupil afterwards became General Lamoriciere.
By the month of April, 1826, he had sufiiciently matured his
system for a dogmatic exposition, which he announced in a
course of seventy- two lectures in his private rooms. It may well
surprise us to find among his auditors men like Humboldt and
Poinsot. After the third or fourth lecture the philosopher
became insane. On Friday, 24:th April, he went out and did
not return. On Monday a letter came from St. Denis, whither
his wife hastened, but found him no longer there. She found
him, however, at Montmorency, in a most alarming state.
When he grew calmer he expressed a wish to go out for a walk
with his wife. "As they came to the edge of the Lake of
Enghien, he suddenly declared that, although he could not swim,
he should not be drowned if he walked into the lake, and he
began to drag his wife with him. She was young and strong,
struggled, and caught hold of a tree, and saved them both"
(p. 392). He was placed in an asylum, but his recovery was
slow. His poor mother hurried from Montpellier to Paris to
attend him. On the day he quitted the asylum for his home,
his mother, aided by M. de Lamennais, succeeded in inducing him
to contract marriage before the Church. At home, at the end
of a week his recovery began, and in three weeks he was left
alone with his wife. More than once during this period he
threw his knife at Madame Comte, to frighten her into compli-
ance with his wishes. At the end of six weeks all danger was
over. But such was the melancholy that overwhelmed him at
the idea that he could no longer study as he had done before,
that he resolved upon suicide. He slipped out one day and
threw himself into' the Seine, but was rescued from death by a
soldier, who plunged in after him. He expressed great regret
for this attempt, and in July was well enough to visit his parents
at Montpellier.

In 1828 he commenced his lectures, and this time was able
to complete his course. In 1830 he published the first volume
of his course ; the second in 1835 ; the sixth and last in 1842.
These twelve years were years of incessant toil. In 1833 he
obtained an office in the Ecole Polytechnique, which, with other
engagements, gave him an income of ten thousand francs. The
publication of his works raised a storm against him which soon
became so violent as to drive him from his official position.

302 DIOCESE OF ARUAGH.

Once more he had to toil for his daily bread as teacher of
mathematics. This change of circumstances developed the pre-
posterous self-conceit of the man. We shall let Mr. Lewes tell,
how : —

" "With the publication of the PMlo&ophie Positive he assumed
his place among the great thinkers of all ages, but drew upon
himself the bitter hatred of rivals and humiliated professors,
which, being supported by the indignation of theologians,
metaphysicians, and journalists, who were irritated at his.
dangerous doctrines and sweeping scorn, ended in driving him
from his official position. He was turned adrift once more to
seek a laborious existence as teacher of mathematics. The story
is told by him in his preface to the sixth volume of the Philoso-
pliie Positive, and in fuller detail by M. Littre. It need not be
repeated here ; the sad result is enough. To mitigate the blow,
three Englishmen, Mr. Grote, Mr. Raikes Currie, and Sir "W.
Molesworth, through the intervention of Mr. John Mill, oifered
to replace the official salary for one year, understanding that at
the end of the year Comte would be either reinstated, or would
have resolved on some other career. The year passed, but his-
re-election was again refused. At first this troubled him but
little. He had learned to regard the " subsidy " of his admirers
as his right. It was due from the rich to the philosopher ; and
the philosopher could the more effectually use his powers if all
material anxieties were taken from him. This, however, was by
no m6ans the light in which his case was seen in England. Mr.
Grote sent the additional six hundred francs, but a renewal of
the subsidy was declined. He was dreadfully exasperated. I
remember hearing him speak of the refusal as if some unworthy
treachery was practised upon him. I tried to explain as deli-
cately as I could what I conceived to be the point of view of his
friends who declined to be his bankers ; but he had so entirely
wrought himself into the persuasion that the refusal was a moral
dereliction, and that no excuse could be offered for men who had
wealth with holding a slight portion of it from thinkers, whose
lives were of importance to the world, that I saw it was useless.
He had a fixed idea on the subject, and it may be seen expressed
in haughty terms in his letter to Mr. Mill. If there is much to
be said (and I think there is) in favour of his idea of the duty
of the rich towards thinkers whose aims they approve, there is
also not a little to be said on the other side, and not a little blame
attributable to his manner of urging his claims. He chose to
assume a " haute magistrature morale " which others would not
recognise. He professed to speak solely as a philosopher, but
showed too much personal preoccupation. It is sad to hear that
the result of this was a coolness on the part of Mr. Mill, and the •

POSITIVISM. 303-

cessation of a correspondence whicli he had valued, and to which
Comte himself attached great value (as appears in one of his
letters to me) inquiring into the cause of the silence, and show-
ing anxiety on the subject" (pp. 398, 399).

After 1842 a radical change took place, which marks a
period of immense importance in the history of Positivism. In
his Politique Positiviste, and his Catechismc, he sets himself to
arrange individual and social life according to his own fancy.
Many of those who look upon his Philosophie as one of the
noblest works ever written, abandon him in his Politique and
Catechisme. Among such Positivists are Mr. John Mill, Mr.
Grote, Mr. Lewis, M. Littre. Others, again, place the Politique
and Catec/iisme isiT heiore the Phi/osop/iie. M. Littre, in order to
justify his desertion of the master, after 1842, insinuates, that
the works written after that date are vitiated, owing to a
second attack of insanity, which he supposes then took place.
If this argument be admitted, it is plain that not even the
Philosophie is entitled to any regard. For, beyond all doubt, it
was published after a fit of insanity, so serious and protracted
as to have at one time almost forbidden the hope of recovery. In
1852 he published the Catechisme Positiviste. Dr. Robinet, his
physician, has sketched the routine of his daily life in these his
later years : —

" He rose at five in the morning, prayed, meditated, and
wrote till seven in the evening, with brief intervals for his
two meals. Every day he read a chapter from the Imitation
of Christ, and a Canto of Dante ; Homer also was frequently
re-read. Poetry was his sole relaxation, now that he could
no longer indulge his passion for the opera. From seven to
nine (and on Sundays in the afternoon) he received visits, espe-
cially from working men, among whom he found disciples.
On Wednesday afternoon, he visited the grave of Madame de-
Yaux. At ten he again prayed and went to bed. The hour of
prayer was to him an hour of mystic and exquisite expansion.
Nothing could be simpler than his meals ; breakfast consisted
only of milk ; dinner was more substantial, but rigorously
limited. At the close of dinner he daily replaced dessert by
a piece of dry bread, which he ate slowly, meditating on the
numerous poor who were unable to procure even that means of
nourishment in return for their work" (p.p. 406-7.)

The Synthese Subjective he did not live to finish. He died on
the 5th of September, 1857, at the age of sixty.

The system elaborated by M. Comte has been developed by
many disciples. Among these, M. Littre holds the chief
place. Convinced that theology and royalism are fast disap-
j)earing from our age ; that supernaturalism is but an idle

■304 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

hypothesis ; that the mental regimen, half- theological, half-
metaphysical, to which the present generations are suhjected,
is full of contradictions ; that Catholicity is an antiquated and
effete creed, this writer has set himself the task, says M. Sainte-
Beuve, of endeavouring "to set humanity free from illusions,
from vague disputes, from vain solutions, from deceitful idols and
powers." The illusions, the existence of which in the world M.
Littre deplores, are simply a belief in Providence and in a
Creator ; the solutions and disputes regard the origin and desti-
nation of things ; the powers and idols stand for the Living
Personal God. "Each one may be allowed to represent such
matters to himself as he likes ; there is nothing to hinder the
man who finds a pleasure in doing so from dreaming upon
that past and that future." {Paroles cle Philompliie Positive, p. 33.)

M. Littre is the author of a translation of Strauss's Life of
Christ, and of several works on Positivism, such as Paroles de
PMlosophie Positive ; Conservatisme, Revolution, et Positivisme ;
Auguste Comte et le Positivisme. He is also editor of a new
edition of Comte's works. It will still, probably, be fresh in
the memory of many of our readers how successfully Mgr.
Dupanloup exposed the horrors these books contain.*

Close upon M. Littre comes the well-known Ernest Renan.
As the former is the legislator, so the latter is the poet of
Positivism. His Life of Jesus may be taken as a sample of the
working of Positivism in our days. The principle on which the
investigation into the origin of Christianity is therein conducted
is avowedly the Positive principle, that an immutable material
law governs all things, history as well as matter. Hence,
miracles must be excluded, and hence such portions of the
Gospels as contain mention of miracles are quietly set aside by
the author. Add to this an art of criticism, the most capricious
and wanton that can well be imagined, and who will be surprised
at his grotesque and blasphemous account of the Divine Author
of our religion ?.

MM. Taine, Havet, and About, likewise belong to the
Positivist School, and, in particiilar, to the literary branch of
it. The following texts, literally translated from the works of
these writers, will enable the reader to judge of their teaching :
" There is no free being superior to man;" "It is man who
creates God;" "God is but a fiction of the imagination;"
" humanity is the supreme existence and the only providence." f

And yet, in the face of such texts as these, Comte's followers
are indignant that he and they should be called Atheists. In

*Mgr. Dupanloup, " Avertissement aux Peres de famille."
t Guthlin, Les " Doctrines Positivistes en France," p. 13.

POSITIVISM. 305

one sense, and in one sense only, they are not Atheists. In
-what sense ? Inasmuch as Atheism professes to explain the
origin and destination of the universe, while the Positivists
refuse to consider the question at all. Their highest authority
tells us that " even considered under the purely scientific aspect,
Atheism only constitutes a very imperfect emancipation, since
it tends to prolong indefinitely the metaphysical stage by its
ceaseless pursuits of new solutions of theological problems,
instead of pushing aside all such problems as essentially inacces-
sible."*

We now pass to what touches us more nearly, namely, the
Positivist School in England.

The enormous spread of infidelity in England may be mea-
sured by the extent of infidel literature there published. The
supply, especially in such matters as this, is created and regu-
lated by the demand. Of Combe's Constitution of Man, a work
of materialistic tendency, and based on a denial of Providence,
more than eighty thousand copies issued from the English press.
The total annual issue of immoral publications amounts to
twenty-nine millions. In 1851 the purely infidel Press in
London issued more than twelve millions of publications ; the
issues of avowed Atheism during the same period being more
than six hundred and fifty thousand. All this is exclusive of
newspapers.f

We need not say how much Rationalism in its critical aspect
has gained ground in the country whose Established Church
has supplied the writers of the Essays and Revieics. But Positiv-
ism, in particular, has struck root far and wide in the English
mind. Dr. TuUock tells us that " Positivism, within the
last quarter of a century, has become an active and even fashion-
able mode of thought, and nowhere more so than among
certain literary and intellectual circles in England. So far as
it is a philosophy, it is adapted to the common understanding,
and falls in fitly with the scientific and social tendencies of the
times; while it has received a noted impulse from certain
English writers of great ability." As far back as 1838 it was
noticed by Sir David Brewster in the Edinburgh Reviexc. Miss
Harriet Martineau condensed into two English volumes the six
volumes of the course, adding from her own stores some spite-
ful remarks against theologians. But, of all others, Mr. Lewes
became the apostle of Positivism in England. His literary
labours have been numerous and varied. He began with
Ranthorpe, a novel (1845) ; between 1845 and 1857 he devoted

* Discourse on the. ensemble of Positivism.

t Infidelity : Its Aspects*, Causes, and Agencies. — By Thomas Pearson.

21

?!06 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

iiimself chiefly to criticism on history and' art, a Life of
Rohespierre, an essay on the Spanish drama of Vega and
Calderon ; an exposition of Comte's Positive Philosophy, in Bohn's
scientific series ; a Biographical History of Philosophy, and a
Life of Goethe. Since 1857 he has edited Johnson's Chemistry
of Common Life, and published the Philosophy of Common Life,
Seaside Studies, and Studies of Animal Life. Nearly a year ago
he commenced to edit the Fortnightly Revieiv, in which, from
time to time, papers in favour of Positivism occur.

Fellow-worker withMr. Lewes is Marian Evans, better known
under the name of George Eliot. In 1846, imitating the ex-
amples of Littre and Renan, she contributed her share of labour
towards destroying faith in Christianity, by translating Strauss' s
Life of Christ, and Tin 1853) Feuerbach's Essence of CJiristianity.
Besides these works, she published in the Westminster Review
theological articles, animated by the same principles. Under
the name of George EKot she rose to an eminent position
among novelists, by her Scenes from Clerical Life, Adam Bede,
and other works. As to the moral and religious purpose of her
works, it is not necessary to say much. When her early works,
pubKshed under the name of George Eliot, first became famous,
various conjectures were hazarded by critics, as to the probable
author. One critic* dwelt upon the testimony she unconsciously
bore to the truth of Catholicism, and on the way in which she
brought home to the conscience the doctrine of the Personality
of God. Against this we have to say that there is no one doc-
trine which she denies more thoroughly than that there exists a
personal God. Her views of religion are those of Goethe, who
has been well described as a man of deep reKgious sentiments,
with complete scepticism on most religious doctrines.

With her, faith is an illusion ; doctrines and creeds are but
names for sentiments, useful only to turn "feelings into
energies," the substance of all religion is the same. And yet
she speaks as if she had faith in Christianity. And in this,
says the reviewer above cited, she is not dishonest. For,
although to the Positivist, reKgious doctrines are only impres-
sions on the imagination, not corresponding with any reaKty in
the universe, still they are necessary to enable man to turn his
feelings into energies. Hence, the Positivists can enter into the
feelings of others, and to these others speak like believers in
Christianity. A writer in the Westminster Review has said of
her, that she apparently regards creeds ** as being only shells
of different shape and colour, enclosing the fruit of the reli-
gious spirit, common to the human race ; or as so many mental

* For these details concerning Mr. Lewes and Miss Evans, see Home and
Foreign Eevkw, No. V"I. 1863. George Eliofs Novels.

POSITIVISM. 307-

structures, whicli, in Ms successive metamorplioses, man forms
and afterwards cast o£E."

It is but fair, however, to observe that Mr. Lewes does not
altogether share the religious views of M. Comte. First,
because in framing his religious system, Comte abandoned the
historical method, which had guided him in his philosophical
system, and went upon a purely speculative basis. Next,
because he made his religion into a system. He introduced a
new Grande Eire, a new Bible, a new Catholic Church, a new
calendar, a new priesthood, new sacraments, a new spiritual
power, a new temporal power. At this point Mr. Lewes, to
whom religion and system are incompatible terms, freed himself
from his teachings ; and to this point he came under the in-
fluence of Goethe.

Mr. John Stuart Mill, in his System of Logic, speaks in high
J) raise of M, Comte' s fundamental law of the progress of human
knowledge.* This generalised law appears to him to have :

That high degree of scientific evidence, which is derived from the concur-
rence of the indications of history, with the probabilities derived from the
constitution of the human mind. Nor could it be easily conceived from the
mere enunciation of such a proposition, what a flood of light it lets in upon
the whole course of history ; when its consequences are traced, by connecting
with each of the three states of human intellect which it distmguishes, and
with each successive modification of these three states, the correlative con-
dition of other social phenomena. But whatever decision competent judges
may pronounce on the results arrived at by any individual inquirer, the
method now characterised is that in which the derivative laws of social order
and of social law must be sought.

In an elaborate exposition of the Positive Philosophy, recently
reprinted from the Westminster Review, Mr. Mill, although
difiering from M. Comte's system in many and important points,
nevertheless, adheres to it in the main. Finally, Positivism has
at length, made its appearance in Ireland. Its formulas have
been heard in Trinity College, and, we deeply regret to say,
from Catholic lips. It is a painful sign of the times to see a
Catholic gentleman join without scruple in the praise which has
been heaped on Positivism by so many who have made shipwreck
of their Christian faith. But we have said enough for the
present of the literature of Positivism : the system itself de
serves more lengthened notice.

IL

Having glanced at the literature of Positivism, it is now
time to proceed to examine the system itself. First of all, it
may be asked, Is Positivism a growth altogether new, or is
it rather an offshoot from philosophical systems which have

* Vol II. p. 518. Fourth edition. 1856.

308 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

already appeared in the world; and if its connection witk.
theories long since familiar can be established, how much of
their characteristics does it retain, and what has it added from
its own stores ?

Positivism belongs of right to the sensational philosophy,
and preserves the leading features of its parent school. The-
primary elements of all our knowledge are three in nimiber,
and philosophical systems* differ one from the other, according-
as they hold up one or the other of these three as the chief or-
sole element whence our ideas are derived. The three elements-
are : (1) the idea of our own individual existence ; (2) the idea
of nature, of things that are not ourselves ; and (3) the idea of"
the Absolute or Eternal. The system which takes for its basis,
the first of these, dwells especially upon those striking
facts of our consciousness which are our sensations, through
which, as through a channel, comes much of the materials-
of our thought. Thus was formed the school of sen-
sationalism, represented by the French encyclopaedists, and, in his-
tendency, by Locke. Others, again, concentrate attention on
the inherent powers of the individual mind, upon which they
make the external world to depend, subordinating the objective
to the subjective, and hence the system of Idealism of Berkeley
and Fichte. Those who bring into prominence the idea of the-
Absolute, the Eternal, Pure Being, merge the world of pheno-
mena, and the phases of our own consciousness in the depths of^
Being per se, and subject and object being thus absorbed, we have-
the Pantheism of Spinosa, Schelling, and others. Sensationalism,
Idealism, and Pantheism represent, therefore, the main currents-
of the philosophical tendencies which have moved mankind.

Modern sensationalism received its impetus from Bacon,.
in whose system of analysis outward observation held the chief
place, the importance of abstract ideas being made to yield to-
that of the study of external phenomena. In the inductive
philosophy experience was made the principal part. Not that
the Baconian spirit was so wedded to empirical research as to-
leave no place for metaphysical analysis. On the contrary, by
endeavouring to point out a, philosophia prima, and by calling
upon its followers to seek out the/<?;v«s of things, its influence-
on speculative philosophy was not altogether to the disadvan-
tage of the latter. The principle of experience was thus
established, as the leading principle of modern philosophy^
Hobbes developed it still farther, so as to make sensation the-
real basis of every mental operation, sole originator of ideas,,
and sole test of truth. Now, through sensation, we can per-

* See Morell's History of Modern Philosophy. Second edition. Vol. L p. 63.-

POSITIVISM. 309

•«elve only matter ; hence, lie concludes, matter is the only-
reality. Hence scientific investigation was reduced by him to
the doctrine of bodies, that is, of their existence and changes.
The doctrine of bodies includes " the knowledge of all pheno-
mena, in relation to their probable causes, and of all possible
-causes, as known from their observed effects." In the heat of
the controversies excited by the philosophy of Hobbes, John
Locke became convinced that the disputants were travelling by
■a wrong road ; that the first thing to be done was, not to analyse
things or doctrines to their simplest elements, but to investigate
the faculties of the mind, in order to see what objects lie within
"its reach, and what beyond it. Hence, the famous Essay on
the Suman Understanding. We cannot here stay to show how
this work leads to materialism. Enough for our present purpose
to show to what use Locke's principles, without his materialism,
have been put in the hands of a school of thinkers of our own
day. This modern school attempts to show by metaphysical
analysis, " that every notion springs from the senses as the
original channels through which the whole material of thought
has been supplied." The leader of this school is Mr. James
Mill, in his Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind.
Mr. John Stuart Mill, although he does not pledge himself to
rany metaphysical system, also belongs to this school.

In this sketch of the sensational school of philosophy there
•are some broad and deeply-marked lines which it will bo of im-
portance to point out more carefully to the reader. From the
fundamental idea, that the sensations are the basis of our
knowledge, it was easy to pass, once the analytic method was
'established, to an exaggerated estimate of the value of outward
•observation of phenomena. This state of mind, acted on by
Locke's doctrine concerning the proper limits of the intellectual
faculties, ever tended more and more to confine scientific inves-
tigation to the bare existence of phenomena. All these features
are to be recognised again in the Positive Philosophy, which we
shall now proceed to set forth.

M. Comte begins by taking a comprehensive survey of the
•state of the intellectual world as represented in European civili-
zation. He finds human knowledge to be in an utterly dis-
jointed state, Conflicting systems of philosophy divide the
schools ; contradictory religions are multiplied in the churches.
What one philosophy or religion asserts is refuted by another.
A twofold cause of this intellectual confusion presents itself
to his thoughts. " The human mind may be searching for
truth beyond the legitimate region of its actual knowledge; or
it may not take a sufficiently comprehensive view of that truth
which really does lie within its grasp." A true philosophy

310 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

which would supply a remedy to so painful a disorder should^
therefore, effect two things. First, it should define accurately
the limits within which the mind may legitimately exercise itself
in the search for truth : and, secondly, it should give unity to
science by pointing out a secure pathway by which the elevation
of a universal philosophy may be reached. The Positive Philo-
sophy undertakes this double task. It endeavours, in the first
place, to discard for ever from among the objects of thought
all that regards the essential nature of things, their causes,
either efficient or final, all speculation as to their origin or
destination. " We have no knowledge of anything but pheno-
mena : and our knowledge of phenomena is relative, not
absolute. We know not the essence, nor the real mode of
production of any fact, but only its relations to other facts in
the way of succession or of similitude. These relations are
constant, that is, always the same in the same circumstances.
The constant resemblances which link phenomena together,
and the consequent sequences which unite them as antecedent
and consequent, are termed their laws. The laws of phenomena
are all we know respecting them. Their essential nature, and
their ultimate causes, either efficient or final, are unknown and
inscrutable to us."

This golden rule has not been always gra'sped by the human
mind. On the contrary, M. Comte assures us, as a matter of
history, that two other methods of philosophising, antagonistic
to his method and to each other, have successively swayed
humanity, as well in the aggregate as in individuals. The law
of progress thus embraces three distinct stages, called by him
respectively the Theological, the Metaphysical, and the Posi-
tive. Mr. Mill believes that these terms, especially in the
English language, are not quite suited to the pui-pose, as they
excite ideas other than those intended. Hence, instead of the
Theological he would prefer to speak of the Personal or Yoli-
tional explanation of nature : instead of the Metaphysical, the
Abstractional or Ontological : instead of the Positive, the
Phenomenal or Experiential.

In the Theological stage, the mind regards the phenomena
of the universe as operations of divinities. First, each object
is looked upon as animated. Next, each entire class of objects
or events is believed to be under the superintendence of an
invisible Being. Finally, the multitude of divinities is merged
in a single Grod, who made the world, and guides it either by
His continued action, or by specially interfering from time to-
time.

In the Metaphysical stage, phenomena are accounted for by-
being ascribed not to volitions, but to realised abstractions.

J>0S1TIVISM, , 311

Instead of the Dryads presiding over trees, every plant is now
supposed to have a vegetative soul. These various forces, at
last, terminate in the universal idea of nature, which, though
regarded as impersonal, is supposed as acting in a sort of
motion ; as when we say : Nature abhors a vacuum. In the Posi-
tive stage, finally, the palpable facts of the phenomena are
alone attended to, with the view of discovering the laws of
their coexistence and succession. Every other question con-
cerning them is ignored.

Every single science which can occupy the human mind must
invariably pass through this triple stage, from the theological
through the metaphysical, into the positive. This last is des-
tined, says Mr. Mill (p. 12,) finally to prevail, by the universal
recognition that all phenomena, without exception, are governed
by invariable laws, with which no volitions, either natural or
supernatural, interfere. But the different branches of know-
ledge do not pass from one of those stages to the other equally
and at the same time. Some sciences are more advanced than
others. Thus, astronomy, physics, and chemistry have already
arrived at the positive stage, whereas physiology, or biology,
is only at the metaphysical ; while the whole science of
humanity (sociologj'-) is yet in its earliest stage, being hampered
with the false idea of a Providence and a God. M. Comte's
division of the sciences deserves more praise than anything
else he has achieved. The sciences are not independent one
of the other, but are so arranged that each depends upon a pre-
ceding one less complex than itself, whose laws it takes up
with an addition of its own, and then sends on to the science
next in order. Thus, the truths of number are true of all
things, and depend only on their own laws ; therefore, the
science of number (arithmetic and algebra) may be stated with-
out any reference to any other science. On this principle M.
Comte has arranged the sciences in a series, each term of which
is an advance beyond the term preceding it, the phenomena
belonging to it being determined by a more numerous com-
bination of laws: 1st., Mathematics (Number, Geometry,
Mechanics) ; 2nd. Astronomy; 3rd. Physics ; 4th. Chemistry ;
5th. Biology ; 6th. Sociology, or the Social science, the pheno-
mena of which depend on the truths of all the other sciences.
Thus, all the sciences are co-ordinated ; thus, the entire edifice
rises by degrees to its last and noblest stage — the science of man.
Thus, the experimental study of facts and facts only, is made
the secure and solid pathway to universal philosophy.

Before we pass on to consider Positivism from the religious
point of view (for to its religious bearings we intend to confine
our remarks), it may be well to observe that Comte's system

312 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH

can make no honest claim to whatever credit belongs to the
inductive philosophy. Bacon's '* mission," says Dr. Newman,*
was the increase of physical enjoyment and social comfort : and
most wonderfully, most awfully, has he fulfilled his conception
and his design. Almost day by day have we fresh and fresh
shoots and buds and blossoms, which are to ripen into fruit on
that magical tree of knowledge which he planted, and to which
none of us, perhaps except the very poor, but owes, if not his
present life, at least his daily food, his health, and general well-
being. He was the divinely provided minister of temporal bless-
ingsto all of us, so great, whatever I amforcedto think of him as
a man, I have not the heart, from mere gratitude, to speak of him
severely. And, in spite of the tendencies of his philosophy, which
are, as we see at this day, to depreciate or to trample on theology,
he has himself, in his writings, gone out of his way, as if with a
prophetic misgiving of those tendencies, to insist on it as the
instrument of that beneficent Father who f when He came on
earth in visible form, took on Himself, first and most promi-
nently, the office of assuaging the bodily wounds of human
nature. Now, Positivism completely discards this providential
mission of knowledge, and altogether refuses to admit into its
circle the idea of God. Besides, the inductive philosophy admits
a 2)nori axioms, and speaks of a Philosophia Prima ; Positivism
rejects them : the former includes our inner consciousness
among the subjects to which its principles may be applied :
the latter limits its observation to outward facts. Bacon, after
observation, seeks to discover the natures of things. Comte
holds all investigation into the essences of things to be useless
and impossible. Systems which are kept apart by differences
so deep-rooted and so large can have little affinity one with the
other.

Again, the law of intellectual progress laid down by M.
Comte, as consisting of the triple stage, theological, metaphy-
sical, and positive, fills an important place in his system.
According to him, everj'- branch of science must invariably pass
through these stages in succession. What is to be said of this
law?

We shall find, upon analysis, that this law, as expressed by
M. Comte, includes two statements : first, that every science
which can occupy the intellect, has invariably passed, or must
necessarily pass, through the theological, metaphysical, and

* /. S. Mill, Auguste Comte and Positivism, p. 6.

t Discourses on University Education, Disc. iv. p. 192.

J " Atque illud insnper enixe rogamus ne humana divinis officiant neve ex
reservatione viarum sensus, et accensiono majoris luminis uaturalis, aliquid
incredulitatis et noctis, animis nostris erga div^ina mysteria oboriatur," etc.
Pref. Instaur Magn.

POSITIVISM. 313

positive stages ; second, that tlie metaphysical stage supplants
the theological, and in turn is supplanted by the positive.
Neither of these statements can be established by induction
from the history of the sciences. Which of the sciences ex-
hibits this triple stage of progress? M. Comte replies at
-once, by naming astronomy. But admitting for a moment that
his theory is borne out by the history of astronomy, what other
science has commenced with the theological stage ? Dr.
"Whewell* shows that physics has not, and quotes Adam
Smith's sapng : that there was never a god of weight. Nor did
chemistry begin with a theological stage, although it too had a
theological or mythological period, but that period was not its
first. In the ages of alchemy, the substances on which chemists
operated were personified in a most remarkable and lively
manner. " Gold was the king of metals," says Dr. Whewell
(p. 354), " silver the queen. An object much aimed at was to
obtain the regulus — the metallic young one of the more imperfect
Tnetals." So, also, astronomy arrived among the Greeks at a
precision which conferred on its discoveries a value so lasting,
"that even to-day they form part of the science, and yet long
afterwards the period of astrology came on. If the law were
accurate, it must follow that the theological stage has long since
been superseded in the case of very many of the sciences : for
M. Comte himself admits that the crowning science of sociology is
the most backward of all, for the very reason that it is still in the
theological stage. Now, in this case, the early ages ought to be
the only religious ages, or the most religious ages. This,
however, is far from being the case. Leaving out of con-
sideration a few so-called philosophers, who are not more
numerous now than ever, the entire human race with one
accord admits the existence of a Supreme Being, even although
some nations outrage His majesty by giving to false gods
the homage which the true Living God alone can claim.
M. Comte asserts, moreover, that even in individual minds
this triple stage may be observed : in our childhood we
refer everything to God ; in our youth to metaphysical
abstractions; in our riper years we advance to Positivism.
This may be true of M. Comte, who, as we have seen, shook off
all religion almost with his boyhood ; but is it true of those
great minds who, while they were kings of science, were at the
same time, according to their own views, the most religious of
men Of such men Newton may be taken as a type.

We admit, however, that in some of the natural sciences
men attributed in the beginning to God functions which after

* MacmiUan^s Magazine, Cointe and Positivism, ^rarch, 1866.

314 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

investigation, had been traced to natural causes. Thus, in early-
times men believed the heavenly bodies to be gods, or to be
guided by gods. But at this stage science had not begun at all ;
it was but the preliminary to science. 'Not is it true to say
that, as a science progresses, the metaphysical supplants the
theological, to be in turn supplanted by the positive stage.
What we have already observed of astronomy and chemistry is
a proof of this. But Dr. "VYhewell does not hesitate to assert
that there is no science in which this pretended succession of a
metaphysical and a positive stage can be pointed out. " There
is no science in which the discovery of laws of phenomena, when
once begun, has been carried on independently of discussions
concerning ideas which must be called metap/iysical, if anything
be so called. There is no science in which the expression of
the laws of phenomena can at this time dispense with ideas
which have acquired their place in science in vjrtue of meta-
physical considerations. There is no science in which the
most active disquisitions concerning ideas did not come aftevy
not before, the first discovery of the laws of phenomena. This
may be exemplified in all sciences which have made any pro-
gress. Kepler's discoveries would never have been made but
for his metaphysical notions. And again, those discoveries of
the laws of phenomena did not lead immediately to Newton's
theory because a century of metaphysical discussion was requi-
site as a preparation " (p. 354).

The truth is that all three stages may and do coexist in such
proportions as are determined by the peculiar nature of each
several science. The sphere of each becomes more accurately
defined as the science progresses : but the most accurate posi-
tive knowledge of the laws of coexistence and sequence of
phenomena can never clash with the natural tendency of the
human mind to refer these phenomena to their causes, and to-
seek beyond all secondary causes a primary and first cause upon
which all depends. It is wise to observe accurately and patiently
what is passing in the world around us : it is wise to seek, as
far as we can, the nature and causes of what we observe : but it
is wisest to trace every finite contingent being to the First
Cause — the God who created all things.

THE RIGHT EEV. DR. WOODLOCK succeeded.

As a Professor in All-Hallows College, Dr. Conroy had been in
former years under the paternal care of Dr. "VYoodlock, who was
at that time its President. When promoted to a more exalted

RIGHT REV. DR. WOODLOCK. 315'

sphere of duty in the Catholic University, as Rector, he ceased
not to take a kindly interest in his former jjrotec/e, and gave
him occasional opportunities of manifesting within the halls of
that seat of learning, his ability and knowledge. That same
paternal and kindly spirit, he has continued towards the
illustrious deceased since he was made Bishop of Ardagh, in the
form of carefully keeping his memory in benediction amongst
his priests and people, and showing more than ordinary zeal in
patronizing what remains of his special works. Dr. Woodlock
was born in the City of Dublin, on the 30th March, 1819.
His parents were Wm. Woodlock, Esq., and Miss Mary Cleary.
They were natives of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, and their son, the
present Bishop of Ardagh, has been heard frequently referring
with legitimate pride and pleasure to the fact that Tipperary
blood is coursing through his veins.

After receiving his earliest education in the parental home,
he was sent to the Jesuit Fathers' Day-School, in Dublin, where
he remained until he went to Clongowes Wood College, Co.
Kildare, in September 1833. Here he continued to read with
great success — having highly distinguished himself in his
several classes. Piety was not amongst the least of his gifts,
and having formed a strong and ardent desire to enter on God's
Holy Priesthood, with the sanction and approval of the Jesuit
PatherSi and the necessary letters from the Archbishop of
Dublin, Dr. Murray, he went to Pome in October, 1836. He
entered the Appolinare " Roman Seminary," which was founded
by St. Charles Borromeo, and remained there until April, 1842-
In that year he left Rome. During his collegiate course he
carried ofi several prizes in Philosophy and Theology, and
towards the end of it obtained, after a long and searching public
examination, the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He was then,
only twenty-two years of age. Shortly after, having met in
Rome, Father Hand, the Founder of All-Hallows College, he
joined him, returned to Dublin, and took part as one of its
Superiors and Professors, at the opening of that College in 1842.
From that time until 1854 he discharged the important duties,
of Professor of Dogmatic Theology. In that year he succeeded
as President the late Dr. Moriarty, who was then promoted to
the See of Kerry, which office he held until 1861, when he
became Rector of the Catholic University, Cardinal Newman
having ex proprio niotu elected to retire and live in his own
community of the Oratorians.

The present distinguished President of All-Hallows, the
Yery Rev. Dr. Fortune, wrote a letter to the compiler of these
records from which the following extract is taken : —

" Dr. Woodlock was, during the entire period of his con-

•316 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

jiection witli All-Hallows (he is still, indeed, one of our Directors),
greatly and deservedly esteemed and beloved by all, professors
•and students alike, by reason of the amiability of his character,
the sanctity of his life, and thorough devotion to every, even
^the most minute duty. His appointment to the Catholic Uni-
versity was a great loss to this Institution."

Such is the testimony of Dr. Fortune. Before his appoint-
anent to the Eectorship of the University he was promoted
to the Diocesan Chapter. Soon after, he was elevated
to the dignity, rights, rank and privileges of a Domestic
Prelate of His Holiness, at the Roman Court. Monsignore
Woodlock was made Vicar-General of Dublin, in the year 1877.
In the discharge of the delicate and important duties of that
Tery responsible office he had the advantage of the advice,
experience, and learning of the late Cardinal MacCabe, who was
then Yicar-General of Dublin, as well as Auxiliary Bishop.
The See of Ardagh became vacant in 1878, by the death of Dr.
Conroy, and Monsignore Woodlock was elected at Rome in the
iollowing year to succeed him. He was consecrated in the
Sistine Chapel by His Holiness, Pope Leo the XIII., on the 1st
•Jime, 1879, and in a few weeks afterwards solemnly took pos-
session of his Cathedral at Longford, in the presence of the
JDiocesan Chapter, nearly all the clergy of Ardagh and Clon-
macnoise, and a vast congregation of the laity. The Cathedral
looked in its best form, on account of the previous costly and
careful preparations. As regards his career from that day to
this I will be brief, for it has been advised by the highest
authority ne laudes hominem in vita sua. I will, therefore, confine
myself to facts, only observing furthermore, that Dr. Fortune's
testimony, regarding Dr. Woodlock's career in All-Hallows,
rmight truly be written of his administration in Ardagh and
Clonmacnoise. Prominent amongst the special works of Dr.
Woodlock, as Bishop, must be reckoned the new Convent at
JBallymahon,* the foundation of the same order of the Sisters of
Mercy at Mohil, Co. Leitrim, together with a new Convent and
beautiful new Church recently erected in that thriving town by
the present zealous and energetic pastor, the Rev. Francis
Donohoe ; the extension and enlargement of the La Sainte Union

• This Convent was tounded during the episcopacy ot the late Dr. Conroy,
^vho received a cheque for £1,000 sterling, together w ith a large farm of valu-
able land, and the palace of the late Dr. O'Higgins, for the use of the Xuns, from
Thomas Maxwell, Esq., of Ballymahou, a noble, generous, and religious
man. He was known and highly esteemed by the last four Bishops of Ardagh,
and by Dr. Woodlock, as is well known to the writer. This Convent is a
rou>'DATiox from the Mercy Convent, Moate, founded by the late Rev. Dr.
XilduflF. A few weeks ago the Sisters of this flourishing community celebrated
"With much religious eclat the Silver Jubilee of their foundation.

RIGHT KEV. DK. WOODLOCK. 317"

des Sacres Coeurs, Banagher ; King's County, the foundation of
that same distinguished teaching community of Nuns, at St.
Mary's, Athlone, one of his own parishes. Here on a charm-
ing site rising over the town in its south-eastern suburbs,
and commanding extensive and picturesque views in eight
neighbouring counties, stands the new Convent of La Sainte
Union des Sacres Coeurs, a building recently erected at a cost of
about ten thousand pounds, by Patrick Kelly, Esq., Contractor,
Longford, from designs made by the late John O'Neill,
Esq., C.E. This large edifice has been erected exclusively from
the funds of the Order of Sainte Union, as they never so-
licit subscriptions, even from the friends of the members of
their own Institute. The foundation on which the building
rests is gravelly, and considered most healthy. The views of
Loughrea, on the Shannon, and of Clonmacnoise, or the Seven
Churches, are such as the Italians would call a hellmima vista.
The Religieuses of the Convent devote themselves to the higher
education of young ladies, for which they are specially suited
on account of their own superior training, received in their
Convents in England, France, and Belgium. Connected with
the Convent, and under the immediate care of the Sisters is a
Preparatory School for the sons of gentlemen, from five to nine
years of age. It was Dr. Woodlock projected this great work..
So far its success has been greater than the most sanguine
expected, and there are reasons in abundance to hope that, after
a short time, it will be one of the most successful Schools in
Ireland. In England and in France this Institute of La Sainte
Union holds the foremost place amongst the educational
establishments.

I could give conclusive proofs, but I am quite sure th&
authorities of that great Educational Pensionat would not be
pleased ; as they prefer working on silently, and taking slow but
certain results, with the conscientious conviction that they well
earned them before they were received. Within sight of the
Convent, on the eminence just outside Athlone, at the Dublin side^
where Ginkel and his army once placed their cannon before they
crossed the historical bridge, the spectator beholds within a few
minutes' walk the graceful Gothic Church and Presbytery of
St. Mary's, and attached to it the highly efficient Intermediate
School conducted by the Marist Brothers. This is another
special work of Dr. Woodlock's, and through it he has supplied
a grievous want of many years' standing, on the part of the
Catholic youth of Athlone. There was an efficient Primary*

* In 1871 thirty boys belonging to St. Mary's National School obtained
Passes at the Science and Art Examination, S. K. L., and two others woa
Queek's Prizes, value £5 each, tenable for three years.

'318 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Scliool, but no Intermediate School, unless indeed they sacrificed
their conscience and went to the Eanelagh, where no religious
instruction, save what is hostile to our faith may be obtained.
That grievance no longer exists in St. Mary's. Dr. Woodlock
bought out the interest of E. Grleeson, Esq., M.D., J.P.,* in his
beautiful mansion and gardens adjoining St. Mary's Church, and
there established the Marist Brothers. They constitute an im-
portant centre of Intermediate training. They may not be judged
by statistical results, so far as their Athlone teaching is con-
cerned, for they are only a year or so there, and having to work
on raw material it is premature to expect anything to be placed
in favourable contrast with other Intermediate Schools of several
previous years' standing. But this much may be truthfully
aflGirmed, that in Scotland the same Institute of the Marist Bro-
thers carried oif last year 86 per cent, results at the South Ken-
sington Science and Art Department Examinations, as against 46
per cent, won by all the other competing schools in Scotland. In
England they have been nearly as successful. In France and
Australia it is the same. We may therefore expect similar
.results in Athlone. This is one of Dr. Woodlock's special
Avorks. I am aware of other great projects now engaging the
most serious attention of Dr. "VYoodlock regarding Clonmacnoise ;
but I am not at liberty to write more at present than that they
have reference to the roofing of King Melaghlin's Church there,
to be used as a Mortuary Chapel, in which the funeral service
ijiay be performed according to the ritual, and prayers offered
for the old kings, chieftains, middle class, and poor interred
therein, according to the intention of the founders of the
churches. Furthermore, there is some probability of a religious
order of considerable eminence, not only in our own, but other
countries, establishing a novitiate there, and retreat house for
our clergy, and thus renewing the old glories of the place. A
projected new convent for the Marist Sisters, already residing
at Carrick-on-Shannon, the capital of Leitrim County, is amongst
Dr. Woodlock's works. It shall be commenced this spring, on
a healthy and picturesque eminence, gently rising up from the
Shannon, just outside the town. It is a pressing want, for the
devoted sisters of that teaching institute in Carrick are very in-
conveniently housed indeed. Doubtless, an intermediate school
for boys, conducted by the Marist Brothers or some equally
efficient teaching body will follow, for this important town of
Carrick-on-Shannon should be suppHed with such schools. But
Dr. Woodlock made his Cathedral at Longford the principal

* The owner of that prosperous factory called the Athlone or Shannon
'iWoollen Factory.

RIGHT REV. DR. WOODLOCK. 319

•object of his concern, as regards material improvements. The
following facts will show this : — The interior of the cathedral
has been retouched and ornamented under the direction of Gr.
Kelly, Esq., at a cost of over £300. Besides, fifteen beautiful
and highly ornamented statues have been placed in the niches
near the springing of the roof, where loolang down in solemn
and inspiring grandeur upon the congregation beneath, they at
once raise the mind heavenwards, and bring it back to other
days of greater and more heroic sacrifice than our present
civilization may boast of. The statues bear the names of the
following saints : — At the rear of the High Altar are those of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph, St. Mel, and
St. Kieran ; over the Sacred Heart Aisle are SS. Patrick,
Bridget, Dominick, Yincent, and Francis ; over the Virgin's
Aisle SS. Michael, Anne, Catherine, Aloysius, and Teresa.

At the great door, as you enter, there are two exquisite oil
paintings on canvas of SS. Peter and Paul, the work of the
distinguished painter, Gagliari.

ISIoreover, Dr. Woodlock has beautified the Cathedral by the
erection of monumental marble slabs, at once chaste, simple,
and designed to perpetuate the memories of those whose names
are inscribed upon them. It seems to me a most praiseworthy
work, and whilst inviting the prayers of the faithful for the
illustrious departed, it serves as an enduring and perpetual
monument of the episcopal succession in Ardagh.

Four such marble monuments have been already erected,
■and it is to be hoped Dr. Woodlock's successors will do like-
wise. The following inscriptions are to be found upon them :—

ST. MEL'S CATHEDRAL.

Slab No. 1.

Pray for the soul of the Right Rev. "William O'Higgins,
D.D., Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, who laid the first
stone of this Cathedral, on the 19 th May, 1840, and whose
remains are interred beneath. Born, 1st August, 1794. Con-
secrated, 30th November, 1829. Died, 3rd January, 1853.
On whose soul may Jesus have mercy.

Slab No. 2.

^ Pray for the soul of the Right Rev. John Kilduff, D.D.,
-Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, whose remains are interred
beneath this Cathedral, which he completed and opened on
:29th September, 1856. Born, 11th November, 1820. Con-

320 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

secrated, 29tli June, 1853. Died, 2l8t June, 1867. On whose-
soul may Jesus have mercy.

Slab No. 3.
Pray for the soul of the Right Rev. Neal MacCabe, D.D.,.
of the Congregation of Missions, Bishop of Ardagh and Clon-
macnoise. Born, 23rd June, 1816. Consecrated, 2nd February,,
1868. Died in Marseilles, when returning from the Yatican.
Council, July 1870. On whose soul may Jesus have mercy.

Slab No. 4.
Pray for the soul of the Right Rev. George Conroy, D.D.,.
Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Delegate Apostolic in
Canada, under Pope Pius IX, and Leo XIII. Born, 1st January,
1833. Consecrated, 11th April, 1871. Died, 4th August, 1878..
On whose soul may Jesus have mercy,*

The front of the Cathedral has not been yet completed
through want of means. Dr. Woodlock has been and is very
anxious about it, and has already had plans and specifications
drawn by George Ashlin, Esq., C.E., exhibiting six magnificent
Ionic columns, enclosing a spacious portico. The depression of
the times, however, has prevented his lordship commencing this
great and costly work up to the present. Let us hope that Dr.
Woodlock will be spared to witness its entire completion, and
thus add one more to many enduring monuments in Ardagh and
Clonmacnoise, with which his name shall be connected for

In a published record of collections relating to the most
distinguished ecclesiastics belonging to the Diocese of Ardagh,
it appears to the compiler fitting to introduce the names of those-
of her children who, having been led by the Spirit of God to
face the perils of the sea ; the perils of travel to distant and_
strange lands ; the perils of semi- civilized and barbarous races,
and the perils of isolation from their own brethren in the-
ministry, together with the natural regrets of absence from one's,
own country and one's own family and friends, were afterwards
safely conducted by that same unerring Spirit through the
desert, to the mountain of the Lord, and there clothed in the-
bright, shining, and pure robes of the Bishops of God's Holy
Church. Three such Apostles went out from Ardagh in the-
spring-time of their lives, and afterwards shed lustre on the
diocese that gave them birth.

* A beautiful Memorial Altar of the S. H., intended to commemorate-
Pr. Conroy. and the new Chapel of Ballymacormack, Parish of Longford, are
also the -works of Ur. Woodlock.

RIGHT REV. DR. o'rEILLY. 321

The following notices of these prelates have been gathered
tfrom journals and other sources : —

EIGHT KEY. BERNARD O'REILLY, D.D.
Second Bishop of Hartford, u.s.

This distinguished prelate was born in the Townland of Cun-
nareen, Parish of Colombkille, County of Longford, Ireland, in
1803, of a family which had been remarkable during many
years for their love of religion and fatherland. In his youth
he was noted for his humility and dignified character, and
gave early proofs of scholarly abilities. Having conceived a
desire to educate himself for the priesthood, he gained his
parents' approval, and in furtherance of this design he came to
America on the 17th of January, 1825. Upon his arrival he
proceeded to Montreal, Canada East, and there continued his
studies. He afterwards went to St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore,
where he was ordained on the 13th of October, 1831, by Right
Rev. Bishop Kenrick, of Philadelphia. His first missionary
labours were located in the cities of New York and Brooklyn,
in the latter of which he said Mass once every month. His
zeal and charity were unbounded, and manifested their noble
■qualities in the terrible season of the cholera. By day and night
Father O'Reilly laboured in behalf of the plague- stricken ones,
and although twice attacked himself he applied himself anew to
the task as soon as he was able.

In December, 1832, he was appointed to the charge of St.
Patrick's Church, in Rochester. This mission was, at the
time, a very extensive and arduous one. In fact, with one other
priest. Father O'Reilly attended to the whole region which after-
wards became the Diocese of Buffalo. Here for many years he
laboured in this earnest, effective manner, until October, 1847,
when Bishop Timon taking possession of the new diocese, he
was appointed Yicar- General and called to the episcopal residence.
In this position he devoted his care to the supervision of the
new seminary and the hospital under the charge of the Sisters
of Charity, the latter of which institutions he ably defended in
public discussions against the jealous attacks of the Protestants.

In May, 1849, Yery Rev. Father O'ReiUy was named
Bishop of Hartford, as successor to Bishop Tyler. Owing to
the delays in Rome, occasioned by the revolution and exile of
the Pope, the letters of appointment did not reach him until the
following year. He was consecrated in the former Church of St.
Patrick, at Rochester, among the people he loved so well, and
ior whose salvation he had laboured so zealously. Immediately

22

322 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

after his consecration lie proceeded to his Episcopal See, anJ
entered upon the duties of his new office. For five years he-
laboured in his diocese with that earnestness of purpose and that
uniform success which everywhere characterized his efforts.
He introduced the Sisters of Mercy into this and the adjoining
state of Connecticut ; and the labours and success of this order
from that day to this, is a proof of his wisdom in so doing.
His courage was admirably displayed on the occasion of the
disgraceful mob, who, in the year 1855, threatened the sister-
hood and their property in this city. The occasion of this dis-
creditable conduct on the part of the mob, was the conversion
of a Protestant lady of high rank, who entered a convent in the
city with a view to becoming a nun. Her friends demanded
that the bishop should cause her to leave. He firmly answered
non possumus. His lordship was endowed with great physical
strength and moral courage, both of which he manifested on
that occasion. His labours were also attested by the increase of
his churches and priests, and the various institutions of which
he was the founder.

One incident of Bishop O'Reilly's life possesses a peculiar
interest for the priests of Hartford, inasmuch as at the present
day they enjoy the happy consequences of it. Returning from
Rome early in the year 1853, he visited the celebrated CoUege
of Maynooth in search of young clergymen for his diocese. Ono
of the students noticing a strange prelate in the college grounds,
who seemed partly uncertain which way to turn to the President's
apartments, offered his services for the purpose. The bishop
thanked him, asked him to conduct him. to the library and other
buildings of public interest, and at last, pleased with the atten-
tions that were paid to him, invited the young student to return
with him as a priest of his diocese. This was a new thought to
the student, who at that time had fully determined to join the
Order of the Society of Jesus, and whose mind ran more upon
China and the distant missions of Japan than upon the quiet
though laborious fields enjoyed by the American priesthood.
Quickly noticing this inclination, the bishop, like a good general,
changed his tactics, and instead of representing the diocese over
which he presided as one of ease, he narrated the hardships of the
minister of God in his journeyings among the mountains of
Connecticut, spoke of the rigors of the winter season, told how
the Catholics were widely scattered in their settlements, and
thus by making his diocese similar to China in its perils and
privations, he succeeded in gaining the youthful student for his
American mission. God accomplishes in mysterious ways the
designs of His eternal wisdom. The young seminarian of
Maynooth became the honoured priest of the Diocese of Hart-

RIGHT REV. BR. MONAHAN. 323

ford, the successful pastor of the Church at Waterbury, and
to-day in their own city he presides over the Diocese of Provi-
dence, as its worthy and beloved first bishop.

Bishop 0'E,eilly was a man of great piety and activity. No
matter how wearied he might return from his travels, he never
retired to rest without having recited the Rosary of the Blessed
Virgin. He was an assiduous student, and rarely went to bed
before midnight, so attached was he to his books. He arose at
five o'clock in the morning, generally the first of the household,
and was wont to ring the bell himself that summoned his clergy
to prayer.

In behalf of his diocese he paid a visit to Europe, in Decem-
ber, 1855, his object being to procure a body of religious men
to take charge of the children. He visited his aged parents in
Ireland, and on the 23rd of January he sailed in the ill-fated
Pacific for America. The sad story of her loss is known to many.
Uncertainty at first prevailed, doubt soon changed to fear, and
at last the dread fear was realised, and the See of Hartford
mourned her bishop, to whom the sea gave a grave, and the
storm winds sang a requiem. Providence and Hartford mourned
his loss, and in both of the afflicted cities solemn Masses were
sung for the repose of his soul, in the presence of numerous
bishops and priests, and a large gathering of the laity. The
sad manner of his death served to increase their grief, and to
lend greater solemnity to the occasion. At Providence, Arch-
bishop Hughes, of New York, pronounced an eloquent panegyric
upon the virtues and labours of the lamented dead.*

THE EIGHT REV. MICHAEL MONAHAN,

First Bishop of Roseau, Dominica, the Leeward Islands,

AND Administrator of the Archdiocese of Trinidad,

Port of Spain,

Was born in 1812, in the Townland of Aughegreagh, Parish of
Colombkille, County Longford, Diocese of Ardagh. His parents
were Peter Monahan and Mary [nee Skelly) Monahan. Their
ancestors had resided in that neighbourhood for centuries before.

* His brother, William, and the "Very Rev. Dr. Hughes, his nephew, attracted
by his good example and holy life, followed him to Ameri-ca ; both were raised
to the dignity of Vicars-General in the diocese in due course. The Rev.
B. 0. R. Sheridan, and three other nephews are also labouring with great zeal
in Hartford, and the Rev. Thomas O'Reilly, C.C., another nephew, is a most
excellent priest in Ardagh, County Longford. The example of one man
influences sometimes many unto good. This certainly was so in this case.

324 DIOCESK OF AKDAGH.

He received his preliminary education at Granard, there being
in it at that time a classical school of some note. In 1832 he
entered St. Sulpice, Paris. There he remained for seven years,
during which period he obtained high distinctions in his various
classes, and favour with his superiors on account of his good
conduct. Towards the end of 1839, he left Ireland for the
Trinidad Mission in West India, and having arrived there was
appointed Yicaire or C.C. in the Port of Spain, the capital of
the island. About two years afterwards, he was promoted to
the Diocesan College of St. George, and appointed its President.
In that position he remained until he was promoted to the office
and dignity of Cure or P.P., and V.G. of the Port of Spain.

In 1850, this Vicariate was divided, and the Port of Spain
was made an Archiepiscopal See. Roseau having been separated
from it, was erected an independent diocese, and Dr. Monahan
was appointed its first bishop. He was consecrated in the
Cathedral of Trinidad, by Archbishop Smyth, in 1850. He re-
sided at Roseau until 1852, the year of Archbishop Smyth's
death. Soon after his death, Dr. Monahan was appointed
administrator of the archdiocese which he governed for more
than two years.

" During that period," writes the Very Rev. Canon Forde
(who was at that time a Priest of Trinidad, and President of St.
George's College there), "he was beloved by all his subjects,
and especially by his clergy. He got more favours and privileges
from the Governors of the islands than any other bishop in his
position was at all likely to have obtained. He had several
parishes established (a honum of much value there, where the
priests were paid by the State), and new churches erected by
aid of grants of money, advanced by the Government of Trinidad,
He officiated as celebrant of the High Mass on the days of the
funeral and Month's Memory of the Most Rev. Dr. Smyth. A
more dignified prelate in his pontificals I have never seen.
Archbishop Murray, of Dublin, was the nearest to him my eyes
ever looked on. He was most kind and loving to his priests and
people, and more Hke one of themselves, by reason of his gentle
and unassuming manner, than their bishop. It was confidently
expected that he would have been appointed Archbishop of Tri-
nidad, but a section of the French Clergy objected to him on
account of his nationality. Their views prevailed unfortunately,
at Rome, as subsequent events too clearly proved. His early
death was a great calamity, in fact, a loss to the Church in
Trinidad, from which she has not fully recovered to this day.
" I am, faithfully yours,

""Wm. Canon Forde,
"Beech Hill House, Grand Canal, Dublin."

RIGHT REV. DR. MONAHAN. 325

Bishop Monahan visited Ireland twice, chiefly for the purpose
of seeing his aged parents. He remained at their residence, for
the most part, whilst he was in Ireland. The Right Rev. Dr.
O'Higgins having given him a cordial invitation to go to Bally-
mahon and meet General Lamoriciere, who afterwards became
so famous as a soldier and strategist in commanding the Irish
Volunteers that went to Italy to defend the Pope's temporal
dominions from the usurper ; he most gratefully accepted it.
Dr. Monahan and Lamoriciere had been intimately acquainted
previously. All three were cordial friends, and the two bishops
being half Frenchmen, by education and residence abroad, they
felt quite at home in each other's society. The general, like his
countrymen, arose at a very early hour in the morning — four
o'clock ; and unlike most of his countrymen, was a very pious
and practical Catholic. He passed the hours of the morning in
the library until the bishop's Mass, which he invariably attended.

An amusing incident occurred in connexion with this visit.
The presence of a foreign general in Ballymahon, and under the
roof of so distinguished a prelate as Dr. O'Higgins, who had a
well-earned reputation at the time for advanced patriotism,
excited the fears of the British authorities. The result was,
detectives were sent to keep a close eye on the movements of the
general and the two bishops. Some of them followed Bishop
Monahan into several parishes in Ardagh, where he administered
the Sacrament of Confirmation for Dr. O'Higgins, who at that
time was just beginning to decline in health.

O'Connell afterwards referred to this matter in one of his
speeches. He said — "See how much the Government are
frightened at the state of things in Longford. They are about
sending Wellington, with a large army, down to Ballymahon,
that the hero of Waterloo may fight fifty thousand Irish rebels,
whom Dr. O'Higgins has concealed in his back parlour, where
a Continental General is drilling them." Dr. Monahan shortly
after returned to the Port of Spain, and was often heard refer-
ring with much humour to the fact, that he was once looked
upon as a dangerous character and conspirator against legiti-
mate authority in Ireland. He was considered a very handsome
Prelate, being over six feet in height, of graceful figure, sallow
complexion, and bright grey eyes. His whole demeanour and
appearance was truly episcopal. He bore the character ^ of
being a very amiable and meek Prelate, and was of ^ quiet,
simple, dignified, and unostentatious manners. The priests of
Ardagh, with whom he was acquainted, used to speak of him
with enthusiasm. He returned to the Port of Spain, having
gone through the Confirmations for Dr. O'Higgins, never to
feast his eyes upon his native land. Having reached Trinidad,

326 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

lie set out, after a short time, upon his Visitations of that difficult
and extensive Mission, never to return to his earthly home.
Partly through excessive labour, and partly through the
extreme heat and severity of the climate — a climate that has
been not inaptly called "the grave of Europeans," he died
after a brief illness in the Island of St. Thomas, in the midst
of his labours, and of the years usually given to those that die
of old age, having been previously fortified by the reception of
the Sacraments. This sad event took place in the year 1855,
and the forty-second of his age. He was buried in his own
beautiful Church of the Apostles. He left by will to his
brother, then a student at Maynooth College, and now the
respected P.P. of Drumsna, Co. Leitrim, the Eev. Thomas
Monahan, his own chalice — a very large one — together with a
cruet stand and cruets, all of massive gold ; and his gold watch
and chain. The Colonial papers were filled with leaders of
regret and praise. In fact, the general and spontaneous expres-
sion of feeling evoked amongst all classes was equalled only by
that witnessed at the death of his kind friend, the Most Rev.
Dr. Smyth, two years before. It will, however, be more fitting
for me to let the present venerated Bishop of Roseau, the Right
Rev. Dr. Michael Naughten, a native of the Diocese of Meath,
and third successor of Dr. Monahan, speak his panegjTic. In
the first Pastoral Letter issued by Dr. Naughten to his clergy
and people, the distinguished Bishop made the following grace-
ful allusion to his memory : —

"As of yore went forth the prayer of Ireland's youth,
calling their great Apostle to their shore, so there came from your
distant Islands a holy and venerable Prelate, Dr. Monahan, whose
ashes now rest beneath the shadow of the sanctuary iu that beauti-
ful Church of the Apostles, in the Island of St. Thomas, having
offered up his life in the cause of God and salvation of souls, on
the eve of his return to his native air, there to find a restorative
for his shattered health and constitution. But God willed it
otherwise ; when he was, as it were, in the sight of that land,
looking across the mightj'' ocean in spirit, he went to his rest.
Let us hope and pray that it was the rest of the saints. * Pre-
tiosa in conspectu Domini mors sanctorum ejus.' He came to
seek for young Levites who would co-operate with him, fully con-
vinced of the awfulness of his responsibility, and the answer he
should give to the Great Pastor for the eoxds entrusted to his
charge ; and the more so, if they should be left without those
who should break to them the Bread of Life, and enlighten
them as they sat in the darkness and shadow of death. He
knew he was commissioned from on high to preach and instruct :

RIGHT REV. DK. MONAHAN. 327

* Predicate Evangelium omni creaturae.' — Mark, xvi. 15, ' Do-
cete omnes gentes/ — Matt, xxviii. 19. He was fully convinced
by tlie force of these words, as well as of those of the Apostle
of JSTations, in his Epistle to the Romans, x. 17 : ' Fides exau-
ditu auditus autem per verba Christi, omnis enim quicumque
invocaverit nomen Domini, salvus erit, quomodo ergo invoca-
bunt in quern non exediderunt aut quomodo credent ei quern
non audierunt. Quomodo autem audient sine predicante. Quo-
modo vero predicabimt nisi mittantur, sicut scriptum est quam
speciosi pedes Evangelizantium pacem Evangelizantium bona.'
Or yet, again, the words of St. Peter : ' Yerbum istud per quod
in admirabile lumen fidei vocati sumus.' We well remember that
morning, as we sat in the old chapel of our Alma Mater, All-
Hallows in company with over two hundred students, whose
homes are scattered far away in the Antipodes, on the burning
plains of India, the prairies of young America, and the shores of
mysterious Africa — and this in obedience to the call of God's
Holy Spirit — all children of that Alma Mater, whose superiors
and children shall be always dear to us. There did he speak to
us, exposing the wants of his diocese, telKng of the great number
of souls in danger of perishing, the many places without a
pastor — then, making an urgent appeal to the young hearts
beating before him, he called on them for the aid so much
needed, and his appeal was not in vain. For you, dearly
beloved brethren and children in Jesus Christ, can tell how the
wants of the diocese have been supplied, up to the moment
when it was God's Holy Will to call him to Himself. Let us
pray for his repose, and also for that of his two venerable and
holy successors.

"4- Michael Naughten,
" Bishop of Roseau, &c., &c."

But any biographical sketch of Dr. Monahan should be con
sidered incomplete, if it did not make reference to his great
friend and patron, the Most Rev. Dr. Smith, Archbishop of
Trinidad, Port of Spain. He had been his lifelong true and
steadfast friend, and was one of the first to predict Bishop
Monahan's elevation to the Episcopate. It was also his wish
that he would be his successor. Moreover, Dr. Smith, although
born in the Diocese of Meath, on the confines of Ardagh, at
Ballymachugh, always considered himself more an Ardagh than
-a Meath man. He entered Maynooth as an Ardagh student.
Besides, he passed nearly all his youthful days with his rela-
tives in. Ballymachugh Parish, where his family resided. When
iome on his vacation from Trinidad, it was in that parish he

d^ZO DIOCESE OF AEDAGH.

used to stay, and witli its theii highly respected Pastor, the Eev;.
P. Murray, P.P., he used to communicate on all family busi-
ness. The Bishop of Ardagh, Dr. O'Higgins, transacted busi-
ness for him at All-Hallows and Carlow, on the same grounds,
having regarded him as the Bishop of his own native diocese.-
There lies before me a letter from Dr. Cullen, Hector, Irish.
College, Rome, dated 25th Aug. 1838, in which it is stated,
that it was on the recommendation of Dr. O'Higgins, Bishop o£
his native diocese, the Pope appointed Dr. Smith, Bishop. The
French clergy in the Island having made some false reports-
against the learning of Dr. Smith, Dr. Cullen asked Dr.
O'Higgins, in this letter, to send a refutation of them to Rome,
which he did. This was one of the reasons why so many^
Ardagh priests went to Trinidad, where they constituted the-
flower of the priesthood. The Smiths, the Donohoes, Taafes,.
Kiernans, O'Calaghans, and others, attracted by the Spirit
of God and the fame of their Diocesan, proceeded to EvangeKze-
in Trinidad, where the works of their zeal and charity are
monuments of their great priestly character. Another child of
Ardagh, a most excellent priest and thorough gentleman, the
present P.P. of Ballymachugh, the Rev. Patrick Murray, was
on the point of joining the Trinidad Mission, but was restrained!
by medical advice. It shows the clear insight into character
with which Dr. Smith was gifted, in that he laid his eye on
young Mr. Murray, and used his best influence to bring him to
Trinidad.

Dr. Richard Patrick Smith, Archbishop of Port of Spain,,
was born in the parish of Kilbride, Co. Cavan, Diocese of Meath,
on the 17th of March, 1802. Having received his preliminary-
education at a superior school conducted, at that time, by a
very distinguished teacher in Balljonachugh, he entered May-
nooth College for the Ardagh Mission, and was ordained in the
year 1825. He decided soon after to go on the Trinidad
Mission, and, in order to prepare himself to preach the Gospel
to the French Colonists, he went to France and entered St.
Sulpice, where he remained for two years. Having mastered
the French language, and fortified by the Sulpician spirit, he
set out for the colony, and arrived there in 1827. The late-
Rev. Abbe Le Goff then held the Pastorship of the Towir
of Port of Spain, and took the young priest under his special
protection. The first place where he began his Apostolic
labours was the little quarter of Carenage, where the ever-to-
be-lamented Abbe De Ridder had, a short time previously,,
raised a beautiful chapel, and formed a pious congregation.
From thence he was removed to San Fernando, in 1828 or 1829.
For five or six years he was the Cure of that town, and he must-

RIGHT KEV. BR. SMITH. 329"

have exercised his functions there with zeal, charity, and effect ;.
for up to this time, after a separation of many years, and
notwithstanding the great change that took place in his for-
tunes, the name "Abbe Smith" is stiU fondly retained and
repeated, with affection and respect, by the inhabitants of San
Fernando. He was called to the Pastorship of Port of Spain in
1834, and was consecrated Bishop of Agna, by the late Right
Rev. Dr. McDonnell, on the 10th December, 1837, and for
seven years acted as that Bishop's coadjutor. After the death
of Dr. McDonnell, which happened in November, 1844, he
succeeded to the title of Bishop of Olympus, and Yicar Apostolic
of the British and Danish West India Islands. This office was.
fulfilled with so much zeal and success, and with such satisfaction
to the See of Rome, that, by a special commission, he was, on
the 9th of February, 1851, solemnly installed Archbishop of
Port of Spain : his Archbishopric including Trinidad, Tobago,,
Greneda, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. The illuminations, still
in the memory of all, which took place on the occasion — two-
consecutive days — testified that what earthly power had granted,
was enthusiastically approved ; and assured that when the heart
thus 'speaks, the object was held in high and affectionate consi-
deration. A few days before, the Cathedral, than which a
nobler specimen of architecture exists not in the West Indies,
was solemnly dedicated, and to Archbishop Smith. was reserved
the honour of the inauguration of that splendid building.

Such is a brief outline of the career of the Most Rev.
Richard Patrick Smith. Like all persons who have been con-
spicuous on the stage of life, he could not fail to raise a
difference of opinion respecting his merits. But facts speak
for themselves. How militating may be, in a certain degree,
the opinion of some, none can justly deny the extraor-
dinary abilities which, within the comparatively short space
of twenty-four years, without any other resource but self,,
raised an humble Priest from the poor station of a young
Missionary to the unprecedented dignity of Archbishop in the
West Indies. And the admiration must be greater, if we-
reflect that such a result was not achieved through the artillery
of war, when the enthusiasm of victory overpowers the under-
standing, and spontaneously proclaims a triumphant general
Emperor ; that it was not obtained in the din of political debates,
when the eloquence of an orator maddens an audience ; but
that it was the work of cool and undaunted perseverance, of
tempered talent and energy, and of diplomatic and steady quali-
fications, that required not only a thorough knowledge of human
nature, but an extraordinary command over those passions toO'
often created by obstacles and imexpected opposition. Again

^O DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

altliougli elevated by his personal exertions to a station that
might have dazzled any character, although so speedily raised
to the noblest title that can be conferred on a British subject
(unless he be an heir presumptive or a consort), in a colony
where the supreme authorities are of the Established Church of
England, and in which are many other Dissenting Churches,
the tenor of his conduct commanded the esteem and respect of
those authorities. Unassuming in manner, yet he always main-
tained the dignity of his office. Aware of the futility of religious
controversy, he studiously abstained from engaging in it, and
yet, during his administration, the faith which he professed, made
rapid progress over all parts of his diocese. And in this colony,
the Cathedral completed, the St. Greorge's College, the Convent
of St. [Joseph, and the Presbytery are monuments that^ will
ever stand to the credit of the memory of the late Archbishop.
But what is more noble, notwithstanding his success and eleva-
tion, his Grace the Most Eev. Archbishop Smith was, in
manners and character, the same humble Priest that landed here
in 1827.

Such were the qualities that distinguished the departed
prelate. That they are overrated is not probable. For, if
public demonstration is indicative of public feeling and senti-
ments— whether affectionate or adverse — if acts are evidence of
the inward impulse, the 12th of May, 1852, leaves no doubt as
to the degree of estimation in which the late dignitary was
held. From the highest to the lowest, from the richest to the
poorest, from all ranks and orders, all came forth on that day
to testify, by their presence, their appreciation of the merits of
the deceased. When we consider the immense concourse of
persons that accompanied his corpse to that solitary mansion of
a few feet, which is his grave ; the silent grief which was appa-
rent on the face of everyone ; it cannot be doubted that the
Most Pev. Richard Patrick Smith carried to the tomb the
•esteem, love, and veneration of all.

His Grrace was most zealous and indefatigable in his efforts
for the salvation of souls. The means he adopted to obtain that
end were truly apostolic. In his visitations of the islands under
his jurisdiction, he usually took with him three or four priests
skilled in giving missions, and he held in the parishes visited
by him, a Novena. During those nine days, the devotions and
practices usual in this country on the occasion of a retreat for
the people, were gone through with the happiest and sometimes
almost miraculous results. The following extract from a letter
of Dr. Smyth's, addressed in 1846 to the Members of the Central
Council of the Propagation of the Faith at Paris, will illustrate
.these assertions. After giving a most interesting sketch of his

RIGHT REV. DR. SMITH. 331

"visit in the previous year to the island of St Dominica, and the
•cruel dissensions that prevailed there, and the No vena gone
through for the purpose of applying a remedy to those grave
disorders, the Archbishop added : "the Governor of the Island
said to me in the beginning of the little Mission, ' if in the
space of ten years you succeed in bringing about a little calm,
I will believe you worked a miracle.' " His Grace concludes
with these words : "In the farewell visit I paid to the Gover-
nor of the Island, although a Protestant, he said to me : ' I did
not think there were miracles since the time of our Saviour ;
but how could I deny them, having before my eyes so great a
miracle of grace ! No human power could have been able to
produce a result/

" In 1843 I visited the Island of St. Lucia. Being power-
fully seconded by my zealous fellow-labourers, I gave a Mission
in the different parishes of this colony. I administered there
the Sacrament of Confirmation, and we gathered everywhere
abundant fruits, which amply rewarded us for our labours and
toils.

" The following fact deserves to have here a particular
place. The labourers of each parish came to their Parish
Priests to ask of them the favour of being allowed to defray
the expenses of the reception preparing for the Bishop. They
immediately set their hands to work ; they dig with unshaken
-courage into the ruins of the ancient fort, and after unheard-of
labours, they extract from them with songs the cannons which
were buried there since the old wars of England and France.
Transported with joy, they convey to their parishes, by the
force of their arms and with songs, those pieces of artillery,
■climbing the mountains and braving a thousand dangers.

" Numerous flags soon float over the church, on the peaks,
on the mountains, and adorn the houses. Triumphal arches
are erected on the way by which the Bishop is to pass. Each
one wished to contribute to form them ; one by bringing palm-
branches, another his garland, some by bringing the handsomest
flowers, others the choicest fruits of the country, to be suspended
to them. A numerous cavalcade, composed of the most re-
spectable inhabitants, comes to meet us. The bells of the hamlets
are in motion as on the most solemn feasts, and announce afar
the approach of the procession. The cannon of the mountain gives
the signal ; the Bishop, accompanied by the clergy and caval-
•cade, has arrived at the boimds of the parish. At the first sight of
the Pastor, all, as one man, fall on their knees and receive his
benediction. In an instant after, a grand and long procession is
formed, as if by enchantment ; it precedes us and advances with
the most perfect order, singing hymns. It arrives at the church :

332 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

it is there that all hearts, united by charity, lay down at the
foot of the altars the tribute of their love and gratitude.

" It was, gentlemen, with the same enthusiasm and cere-
monial that I have been received in all the parishes of the Island
of St, Lucia. Judge, then, what consolation and happiness I enjoy^

" I take pleasure in stating here, that the progress which the
blacks have made in the fulfilment of their religious duties is as
real as it is important. It is but a short time since the inhabi-
tants of St. Lucia had only three Priests, and a few churches in.
ruins. Now, eleven Missionaries labour there with fruit for the
salvation of their brethren ; nine churches in good condition,,
of which several are new, large, substantial, and very clean,
arise in different places. Every day our holy religion extends
itself, and is consolidated in this lovely country.

" It is the same with Grenada. In 1841, at the time of my
pastoral visit to that island, the inhabitants of St. George's had,
as yet, only one chapel, out of repair; but their faith and
piety were such, that nothing could prevent them from attending
at the holy mysteries. Thus, every Simday and holiday, two
or three thousand faithful were seen attending in deep recollec-
tion, until the end of the divine service, although they wer&
exposed to the rays of the burning tropical sun, or to torrents-
of rain, which fall there frequently. Nevertheless, desiring to
see arise in the middle of their town a large and handsome^
church, more worthy of the majesty of God, they madfr
numerous sacrifices and prodigious efforts to erect the fine
monument which we there admire at the present day.

" All, without distinction, wished to work at it with their
own hands. It was not without admiration that we saw the
rich and poor, the masters and servants, carrying to the site of
the new sanctuary, stones, sand, and lime. Blacks, living seven
miles away, arrived before dawn, bringing with them their
food for the whole day ; they worked in the quarry with a
courage and strength which religion alone can give.

" The place to which they had to go for the stone and lime-
was a mountain so steep, that even those who had no burden,
ascended and descended it only with the greatest difficulty ; yet,,
young persons, dressed in silk, were seen there carrjdng
materials like their maid- servants. One thing that particularly
struck me, was a poor blind woman, more than seventy years
old, who, led by the hand of one of her granddaughters, was
working like the others, and carrying also a stone on her head ;.
a smile was on her lips and joy shone on her countenance.

" This island furnished many similar examples. But it was-
particularly at Sauterre and at the Bay that our faithful did
wonders. For a long while they prayed their dearly beloved

RIGHT REV. DR. SMITH. 333

pastors, the Rev. Samuel Power and Rev. Mr. Leoni, to build a
new church in each of their districts.

** In vain did these Missionaries answer them that there
were no stones in the neighbourhood to build with in masonry,
and that there was no money to build in wood. *It is all the
same,' they urgently repeated, ' begin once, good Father ; and
if we cannot finish the church before our death, we will beg of
•our children to finish it themselves.' * But, my friends,' said Mr.
Power to them, 'there are no stones at Sauterre or in the
neighbourhood.' ' Dear Father,' they answered, ' there are rocks
in the sea ; we will go look for them, and we will convey them
to build our church.'

" The respectable clergymen did not think that they could
realise their project; nevertheless, they did not like to offer
iurther opposition to these pious wishes. Immediately, these
worthy people, without being frightened at the dangers and
the obstacles, put their hands to the work. Attracted by the
novelty of the sight, the inhabitants of the island flock to the
seashore to witness the courage of those intrepid men, who,
singing the praises of God, braved the winds and the waves ;
but astonishment and admiration were at their height, when,
after unheard-of exertions, they saw come from the bosom of
the sea a sufl&cient quantity of stones to build the church.
Although the site of the new edifice was at a considerable
■distance from the coast, our indefatigable blacks carried them-
selves all the materials, with the exception of the large blocks,
which they were obliged to roll to their destination.

" This church is one hundred and twenty feet long and
sixty broad. It is also our labourers who have gratuitously con-
veyed all the other materials, and, moreover, every three months
•each of them gives the wages of a week to pay the masons.

" In the neighbourhood of the Bay there are no stones in
the sea or on the land ; one must travel near five miles to find
any. Now, the Catholics, having no horses, and the roads
being, moreover, bad, carried on their heads to that great dis-
tance all the stones required for the building of their church. The
■walls were finished last year at the time I visited that parish.*

" ^ R. P. Smyth."

Dr. Smyth was a very able prelate. I have been told by
the Rev. Patrick Murray, the much respected P.P. of Bally-
machugh, who saw several of the Archbishop's letters, that his
Grace's penmanship was splendid, an accomplishment of which
all great men cannot boast.

* This sketch has been taken, with slight changes and alterations, from
«Colonial Papers.

334 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

AKDAGH AS A MISSIONARY DIOCESE.

The spirit of apostolic zeal and heroic sacrifice which lerT
Bifihop Erard, so many centuries ago, from his own Diocese of
Ardagh, and conducted him and his disciples to Bavaria and
Germany, still lives in this ancient See. Having freely and
lovingly employed the remaining period of their earthly lives
in evangelizing the barbarians of those northern regions, their
bones were laid in silent but honoured graves in the land of
the stranger. The spirit, however, which once animated them,
and made them the instruments of so many useful works
amongst the foreigner, is still active in Ardagh. From few
(if any) dioceses in Ireland has that great Missionary College,
established at All-Hallows in 1842, by Fr. Hand, of holy
memory, received so many students. Few, if any, dioceses in
Ireland have contributed so numerous and powerful a phalanx
of young and zealous priests to preach the Gospel of peace in
distant lands. Dr. Kildufi 's Diary records, in his own hand-
writing, over one hundred exeats given by him to students for
the foreign missions. In All-Hallows College seventy-seven
priests from Ardagh were ordained. Their names shall be
given below. At the present time there are sixteen students
there, from the same diocese, preparing to bring the tidings
of great joy to people beyond the seas. I am indebted for this
record to the worthy President of All-Hallows, the Very Rev.
Dr. Fortune. Some of these young priests have, by their holy
lives and zealous labours, reflected honour on the College in
which they received their education, the diocese where they
were baptised and confirmed, and the land which gave them
birth. Prominently amongst them, the Yery Rev. Dean Dillon, ,
of Buenos Ayres, and Monsignor Corcoran, D.D., deserve spe-
cial notice. The former, owing to his residence at Banagher
and connection with it in his youth, is claimed by the citizens •
of that town as one of their own. I am aware that other
places dispute this honour and set up rival claims. What is
certain in this matter is, that it was at the altar in Banagher,
as an altar-boy, he experienced the first signs of a divine call
to God's holy priesthood. This took place on the occasion of a
Mission given there by the Yincentian Fathers in 1856. Aiter
consultation with them, he followed their advice with prompt-
ness and earnestness. Some time after he entered the College
at All- Hallows, and having finished a brilliant course of studies
there, was ordained a priest, and went to the Spanish Republic.
There he was appointed a Professor in the Diocesan Seminary,
and a few years after he stood a public examination for a vacant •

ARDAGH AS A MISSIONARY DIOCESE. 335^

Canonry, which he obtained with much honour. He was made
Archdeacon a few years after ; and when the Deanship became
vacant he was, after some short delay, installed as Dean of the-
Chapter. It is to be observed that these honours were conferred
upon him in a strange land, where all the members of the-
Chapter were and are Spaniards, except himself. So manifest
were his abilities and merits, that directly the vacancy occurred
letters appeared in the daily papers, stating how regretable it
was that he is an Irishman, as otherwise he should be undoubt-
edly appointed. In due course, however, he was appointed
Dean, in spite of his nationality, of which he is proud ; and iii
spite of his youth, for he was not theji fully forty years of age.
Dean Dillon is now about forty- two years old and, therefore, it
may well be hoped, has a long and useful career before him.
Besides the ecclesiastical position which he fills with so much
efficiency, grace, and dignity, he is, moreover, a member of the
Senate of the Spanish Republic, i.e., the Assembly of National
Legislators, corresponding to our House of Lords at Westminster.
In this position he is equally eminent and useful as in the dis-
charge of his ecclesiastical functions. He enjoys the confidence
and friendship of his Bishop on the one hand, and on the other
is a grata persona to the President of the Republic. He is also
the patron, friend, and adviser to the Irish residing in that
distant land of their adoption : for whom, as well as for his
countrymen at home, his heart and his head are employed with,
an intelligent ardour.

The Very Rev. Dr. James Hughes, V.G. of Hartford, Conn.^
U.S., is a native of the diocese of Ardagh, and his career in the
American Church reflects much honour on his native land. The
compiler regrets very much that information regarding his
many great and useful works in Hartford has not come to hand
in time for sending it to Press, although materials for a biogra-
phical sketch of him were solicited some months ago from a
mutual friend.

THE RIGHT REVEREND DOCTOR CORCORAN,

President of the Ecclesiastical Seminary, in the Diocese

OF Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.,
Is from the Diocese of Ardagh. He was carried abroad from the
Parish of Ardagh, Co. Longford, by his parents, who had inherited
through the death of a relative,a large property in Charleston,
United States, America. Soon after their arrival in that city,
James A. Corcoran was born, in the year 1820. At the age of
twelve years. Bishop England, having observed the young
lad's promising talents, took him with him to Rome, where
he studied Philosophy and Theology at Propaganda. At

■336 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH,

the end of a highly distinguished course he took his degree
of D.D. with the liighest honour. He was then under the
•canonical age for ordination to the priesthood. Accordingly, he
was appointed Professor of Philosophy, and continued to fill
that office until the end of his twenty- fourth year. Soon after
he was called home to Charleston by his bishop, who appointed
hiin Y.Gr. of the diocese. The bishop started a very useful
periodical, called the Catholic Miscellany, and at his request Dr.
Corcoran took up its editorship. The heavy duties of this
important office he discharged with much merit for many
jvears, and, moreover, in his leisure hours, wrote a history of the
Catholic Church in America. The manuscript having been
unfortunately burned with the Presbytery and Church in the
great burning of Charleston, the history never was published.
After the death of Bishop England, Dr. Corcoran was induced
l)y the Bishop of Philadelphia, the Eight Rev. Dr. Wood, to join
i;hat diocese and take charge of his ecclesiastical seminary,
which is amongst the first colleges in America. This position
lie holds to the present day. He was appointed " Consulting
Theologian " to the American Bishops, at the Vatican Council,
and accordingly went to Rome in the autumn of 1869. He was
afterwards appointed a member of the committee charged with
the drawing up of the decrees. In 1884, he was appointed '' Con-
sulting Theologian " of the American Bishops, who were sum-
moned to Rome in that year, to hold a Conference in preparation
ior the National Synod of Baltimore, held in the following year.
•On that occasion Dr. Corcoran, through the unanimous request of
^he American Bishops, was appointed Domestic Prelate to his
Holiness. It is also to be observed that he was requested by
-the American Bishops to start the American Catholic Quarterly
Bevieic, in succession to Dr. Brownson's, discontinued by his death.

The motto of the Quarterly is : " Bonum est homini ut eum
vincat Veritas volentem, malum est homini ut eum Veritas
vincat invitum. Nam ipsa vincat necesse est, sive negantem
«ive confitentem." S. Aug. Epist. ccxxxiii. Ad. Pascent :

Its first number was issued in January, 1876. Since that
time to the present day Dr. Corcoran has continued its editor.
It is not too much to say (the readers of both Revietcs will
not think so), that this very able Review is of the highest
•character, and is on a higher level than the Duhlin Revieic, and
surpasses Brownsoii's in many respects. Monsignor Corcoran
was Theologian and Secretary to the Council of Baltimore, held
in 1884 ; and to him was confided the important duty of
framing its decrees. He drew up, as Secretary-in-Chief, all
the decrees of that National Synod, and also those of the pre-
vious Council at Baltimore. He is a celebrated linguist, speaks

ARDAGH AS A MISSIONARY DIOCESE. 337

all the modern languages of Europe, with ease and fluency, and
is as much at home in Sancrit and Hebrew as in English. He
is admittedly better acquainted with the living and dead lan-
guages than any other scholar living, in the American Re-
public. " No Christian sect or denomination in America can
produce such a scholar. The Bishops and, indeed, all our
savans, observed the Right Rev. Monsignor Quinn, Y.Gr., New
York, to the compiler, freely acknowledge and declare Dr.
Corcoran to be our foremost man amongst the learned." He
is physically very large, and has an immense head, somewhat
like St. Thomas. To a massive intellect, there is united in
him a prodigious memory.

Dr. Corcoran is uncle of two zealous and exemplary priests
in the Diocese of Ardagh : the Rev. John Corcoran, P.P., MuUa-
horan; and his brother, the Rev. Michael Corcoran, Adm.,
Scrabby, Co. Cavan, whose spiritual and material works, in their
respective parishes, bear testimony to their goodness.

Amongst the other distinguished priests who went out from
Ardagh, the following hold a prominent place : Yery Rev.
Thomas Taafe, Pastor of St. Patrick's, Brooklyn, U.S. His
church, schools, and presbytery are second to no other in that
city, and have been raised up by his own zeal. During his
Pastorship of the Church of our Lady of Mercy in Brooklyn,
he brought to completion that beautiful edifice which had been
commenced by Father McKenna, who went out from the Diocese
of Clogher.

Father Joseph McNamee, Pastor of St. Teresa's Church,
Brooklyn, also erected costly and enduring monuments to
God's honour and glory. His beautiful church, schools, and
presbytery fully attest his hard and fruitful labours in the
service of God and His people. He is a great favourite not
only with his parishioners but also with his brother priests, by
reason of his amiable and priestly qualities.

Father Drumgoole, from the neighbourhood of Granard,
Chaplain and Spiritual Guardian of St. Joseph's large Home
for Destitute Boys in New York, is, perhaps, the most remark-
able priest at present living in that city. This Home which he
built for his poor boys, cost about £60,000 — all of which he
himself collected. It is free of debt. Tivelve hundred shoe
blacks, waifs and straySy are here protected by this good priest,
and taught by competent masters, under his managership, and
are cared for by a community of religious Sisters.

Father Felix Farrelly, originally from the town of Longford,
late of St. Joseph's, New York, and previously Pastor of
St. James's Church, in the same city, went out from Maynooth,
after having finished a distinguished Theological course there.

23

tJd» DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

During his Pastorate at St. James's, he laboured with indefati-
gable zeal for the spiritual welfare of his people, by frequent
missions, and the erection of schools for the youth of both
sexes, at a cost of £20,000, aU of which he paid by his own.
exertions in collecting. He was one of the Diocesan " Judices
Causarum," of New York, for many years before his death ;
and was admired by all his associate priests and his superiors.
He was, added JMonsignor Quinn, " A dear personal friend of
mine, and I shall ever regret his early death," which took place
a few years ago.

The Eev. Thomas Farrell, late Pastor of St. Joseph's Church,
New York, succeeded the Eev. Felix Farrelly. He, too, went
out from the Diocese of Ardagh. He was during life a great
friend to the coloured race in New York, and at his death left,
by will, £500 for the erection of a church for them. It was
since built, and has been attended with much success.

The Eev. Father Boyce, late Pastor of St. Teresa's Church,
New York, also went out from Ardagh, and shed lustre on his
native diocese. He purchased a Protestant Church and con-
verted it into a Catholic Parochial Church : the residence of the
minister, and made it a presbytery ; also buildings for schools,
which he handed over to Nims and Christian Brothers, whom
he estabKshed there to educate the youth of his parish. In
the midst of his labours and anxieties he was stricken down by
the great heat of 1875, and died suddenly.

There are many other distinguished priests from Ardagh and
Clonmacnoise labouring with equal zeal in foreign lands, and it
is a matter of much regret to the compiler of these records,
that he has been unable to follow them to their distant homes,
and collect a summary of their good works, and make a suitable
notice of them here. To him it would be a labour of love, and
source of unfeigned pleasure.*

Before setting down the list already referred to, the follow-
ing beautiful and touching words of Montalembert, on " Irish
Missionaries in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries," may be
fittingly reproduced here : —

" A characteristic distinctive of the nation was the impe-
rious necessity of spreading themselves without, of carrying
knowledge and faith afar, and of penetrating into the most
distant regions to watch or combat paganism. This monastic

* The Rev. P. Donohoe, who is at present labouring in one of the principal
parishes in Brooklyn, left the Diocese of Ardagh, propria moiu, twelve months
ago, to the great and unfeigned regret of his Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr.
Woodlock and his brother priests. Father Donohoe is a young priest of very
high promise, having obtained first premiums at the College of Maynooth, and
given proofs of much zeal and success as a preacher and practical worker on
the mission.

ARDAGH AS A MISSIONARY DIOCESE.

339

"nation, therefore, became the missionary nation, par excellence.
"While some came to Ireland to procure religious instruction,
the Irish Missionaries launched forth from their island.
They covered the land and seas of the "West. Unwearied
navigators, they landed on the most desert island ; they over-
flowed the Continent with • successive immigrations. They
saw in incessant visions, a world known and unknown to be
conquered by Christ. The poem of the Pilgrimage of St. Bren-
dan, that Monkish Odyssey, so celebrated in the middle ages,
that popular prelude to the ' Divina Commedia,' shows us the
Irish Monks in contact with all the dreams and wonders of the
Celtic Ideal."

The following is the list : — *

Thomas Fitzsimons.
William Kenny.
Patrick Quinn.
Francis Maguire.
John O'KeiUy.
Thomas Quinn.
Patrick Smith.
Francis Farrelly.
Laurence Smith.
John Mulvihil.
Patrick Macken.
Thomas O'CaUaghan.
Luke Kiernan.
Patrick Mulligan.
John Duffy.
Patrick O'ReiUy.
Thomas Lynch.
Patrick Mulligan.
Patrick M'Cabe.
Denis Maguire.
James O'ReiUy.
PhiHp O'CaUaghan.
Patrick Corrigan.
Thomas Fagan.
Patrick Kiernan.
Peter O'EeiUy.
Charles Lynch.
Hugh M'Q-rath.
Thomas GrafEney.

Patrick Lynch.
Samuel O'Reilly.
Thomas Brady.
Matthew M'Cabe.
Thomas Barry.
Thomas Mulleady.
Peter Kearney.
Michael M'Naboe.
Patrick Fay.
John Maguire.
Patrick Hand.
Andrew Cidlen.
Michael Mullins.
John O'Farrell.
John O'FarreU (2).
Joseph M'Namee.
Patrick Moran.
James Sheridan.
Patrick Donohoe.
Thomas Wilson.
Timothy Dooley.
Thomas Masterson.
John Sheridan.
Patrick Donohoe.
Patrick Donoghue.
Michael Quinn.
John Slevin.
James O'Reilly.
Peter O'ReiUy.

* I have been unable to procure a list of the Ardagh Students ordained at
Carlow, Waterford, and Kilkenny Colleges, for the Foreign Missions.

340

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Patrick Wilson.
Peter Cullen.
Patrick Clarke
Andrew Mulvihill.
Peter Magee.
Edward Smitli.
Philip M'Intyre.
John Moynagh,
Patrick Kiernan.
Edward Dillon.

Myles O'ReiUy.
William M'Namee.
Francis Doregan.
Patrick Clyne.
Patrick O'Neill.
Laurence Kelly.
Francis Reynolds.
Patrick Dolan.
Joseph M'Namee.

PRESENT STUDENTS IN ALL-HALLOWS.

James O'Reilly.
Laurence Cosgrave.
Michael O'Reilly.
Philip O'Reilly.
Terence Sheridan.
Michael M'Inerny.
Patrick O'ReiUy.
Patrick Brady.

Patrick O'Donoghue.
Philip Coyle.
Michael Potter.
James O'Donohue.
Hugh O'Rourke.
Peter O'Donoghue.
Edward O'Reilly.
Francis Wrenn.

The following Papers having been published by the Compiler,
in the pages of the Ecclesiastical Record, with a view to-
illustrating the History of those portions of his native
Diocese to wbich they refer ; are here, it is hoped, fittingly
reproduced : —

RECOLLECTIONS OF GRANARD, CO. LONGFORD.

Before noting some events which appear to be worthy of
reproduction in connection with the history of this ancient
and important town, I shall commence by explaining the
origin of its name. Wbat, then, does the word Granard
signify ? It is a compoTmd of two Irish words, " Grain '*
and " Ard," the former signifying the " Sim," and the latter,
"Eminence." "Grain" was sometimes used as a woman's
name. The Annalists speak of a " Lady Grain," whose tomb is
to be seen at " Tomgraney," County Clare. The traditions of
the place still preserve her memory. They say that she was
drowned in Lough Graney ; and that her body was found in the

RECOLLECTIONS OF GRANARU, CO. LONGFORD. 341

river, at a place called Derry-graney. She was called the
■" Sun's brightness." Another lady, named " Grain," was
huried near the town of Antrim, at a place called Carngranny.
Her monument also remains, as Mr. Reeves testifies in the
following words : — " It consists of ten large slabs raised on side
supporters, like a series of Cromleachs, forming steps, commenc-
ing with the lowest at the north-east, and ascending gradually,
for the length of forty feet, towards the south-west." But I
do not find it stated anywhere that a lady of that name was
buried at or near Granard. I therefore infer that " Grain,"
which is the Irish word for " Sun," and " Ard," an " Emi-
nence," were applied to designate the old town of Granard,
owing to its lofty and sunny eminence.* This place, like Tara,
is supposed to have been one of the important stations appro-
priated to the celebration of idolatrous worship before the intro-
duction of Christianity into this country. Granard, as it now
stands, is bounded on the north-western extremity of its great
wide street by a high artificial moimd, called the " Moat."
Before its destruction in 1315, by the Scots, commanded by
Edward Bruce, the old town was situate close to the present
old church at Granard Kill. This old church, standing in the
parochial cemetery, was the matrix 'ecclesia of the parish before
the completion of *the new beautiful Gothic edifice now so grace-
fully topping the hill of Granard, and overlooking not only the
town but also commanding charmingly picturesque and diver-
sified scenery in more than one neighbouring county. The coup
d'osil from this spot is something to be remembered. St. Mary's,
Granard (so worthily and prudently presided over by the Ven.
Archdeacon O'Flanagan, Y.G., is not only the mairix ecclesia
of the parish, but also the chief church of the Deanery, non
tantum ratione officii et altitudinis sed etiam ratione magnifi-
centiae tum externae tum internae. In the days of the old
town's existence, of which traces are still observable in some of
the rich fields, equally, perhaps, even more rich than the
pastures of Golden Vale, owned by the much respected widowed
lady of the late lamented William O'Flanagan, Esq., the Moat
stood on the north-eastern side of Granard. It now stands
sentinel-like, a towering bulwark at the north-western side of
the town. Of the age, origin and uses of this large Mound or
Kath, I shall now make a few remarks. In my researches for
evidence sufficient to determine the exact period of its origin I
found none. It is certain, however, that it was in existence when

* According to Leabhar na Huidhre, Granard signifies locus amoenus. It
:is to be observed, the present town is not built in Granard, but in Rath-
Cronan. The original site is a lovely spot, and deserves the appellation of
•locus amoenus, bestowed upon it in the " Tripartite Life."

342 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

St. Patrick visited Granard. For in tlie Book of Armagh,,
lately edited with admirable ability, by the Very Rev. E.
Hogan,S.J., the following passage occurs.

" Et venit, i.e., S. Patritius per flumen Ethne, i.e„ the river limy in Teth-
bias — i.e., Teffia, which was divided by the river into almost equal parts,
one of which was in the barony of Granard, et ordinavit melum Episcopum et
fundavit Ecclesiam Bile, i.e., Cloubroney et ordinavit Gosactum filium milcho
Maccubooin quem nutrivit in Servitute vii. annorum et mittens Camulacum
Commiensium in campum Baile-Cuini vel Cumi, i.e.. Bally cowan, King's
County, et digito illi iadicavit locum de cacumine Granaret, i.e., Granard,
Ecclesiam Gaithin, i.e., Rahin."

In the Dictionary of Christian Biography, Vol. I., page
395, the Church of Gosact is said to have been at Rahin, near
Tullamore, a distance of about thirty- six miles. It is, there-
fore, certain that the Moat of Granard was in existence previ-
ously to St. Patrick's advent there, and if Raithim be taken as
identical with the modern Rahan, King's County, and not some
other place nearer to Granard, the great altitude of tbe Moat,
from which Rahan was thus pointed out by the Saint's finger,
necessarily follows. But I am compelled to think the place so
indicated could not have been the modern Rahan, which certainly
our Saint coidd not have pointed out, on that occasion, except
in the most vague way, and that barely as to the direction in
which it lay. But there were several small Raths or Raithins in
the neighbourhood. Abbey-larah was one, for Larah signifies,
a half-Rath. It was probably this place which St. Patrick indi-
cated to St. Guasact, who was afterwards to erect a monastery
there, and preside over it as Abbot. Moreover, he was not
Abbot of Rahin, King's County. What, then, is the exact period
of the erection of this mound, cannot, in my opinion, be deter-
mined with certainty, but may be approximated. If the opinion
of those writers who hold that all the circular forts of this country
were erected by the Danes, be correct, then the age of the Moat
of Granard may be at once fixed. But I do not bold that
opinion and, I think, it has now few supporters. I am con-
vinced that the Danes had fortresses of some kind in Drogheda,
"Waterf ord, Limerick and Dublin, and the other maritime towns
in which they settled. I am convinced that the impious
monster, King Turgesius — who was slain nobly, heroically slain,
upon the Altar of Chastity, for an attempted violation of its
rights, and under circumstances similar to those in which the
Roman Lucretia acquired the surname "chaste," and the Grecian
Hippo, the youthful Cyana, and St. Euphrasia, the virgin and
martyr, piously fell — had erected for himself a large fort in
Loughree, from which he plundered Connaught and Westmeath.
But these are only particular cases in which the Danish.

RECOLLECTIO:S^S OF GRANARI), CO. LONGFORD. 343

invaders, following the custom of the country into which they
came, erected circular mounds for residence and defence. That
Raths, Lisses, or Duns, words used to designate the domestic
and military structures in use amongst the ancient Irish, were
not of Danish origin, may be proved from this fact alone that
they are to be found in every part of Ireland, and more plenti-
fully in districts where the Danes never gained any footing,
than where they had settlements.

There are abundant proofs that these structures were the
dwellings of the people of this country before the adoption of
houses of the rectangular form. The larger Eaths were inhabited
by the better classes, and the great fortified ones by the princes
and chieftains. Judging from the remains still to be seen at
the historic sites, Tara and Rathcroghan, places celebrated for
ages as royal residences, and still affording the finest and most
characteristic specimens of Irish circular forts, I should say
that the Moat at Grranard was the fortified residence of the
chieftains of that part of Ireland in the pre-Christian times.
In proof of these assertions, I may observe that in our ancient
writings, the residences of the peojple of this country were
mentioned by the various names of Rath, Lis, Dun, as
constantly as houses and castles are in the books of the
last three centuries. To illustrate this argument, I will give
a few passages which might be extended considerably. In
the feast Dun-na-ngeah (Battle of Moyrath), Conal Claen, thus
addressed his foster father. King Domhnall, " Thou didst place
a woman of thine own tribe to nurse me in the garden of the
Lies in which thou dwellest." On which 0 'Donovan remarks,
*' The Irish kings and chieftains lived at this period, 637, in
the great earthen Raths or Lisses, the ruins of which are still
so numerous in our land." In the same tale we read of two
visitors that were conducted into the Dun, and a dinner suffi-
cient for a hundred was given to them, and, in another place.
King Domhnall says to Congall, " Go and view the great feast
which is in the Dun." And in the Book of Leinster, page 85,
it is recorded that Queen Maev, who flourished in the first cen-
tury of this era, sentenced the five sons of Dihorba to raise a
Rath around her which should be the chief city of Ulster for
ever. Circumvallations were invariably built around the Rath,
Liss, or Dun. The passages already quoted, abundantly prove
that the residences of the people of this country, before the
introduction of Christianity, were denoted by the words Liss,
Rath, Dun. And such buildings continued to be erected down
to the twelfth century. Joyce states that Dun was anciently
applied to the great forts with a high central mound, flat at top,
and surrounded by three or more earthen circumvallations.

344 DIOCESB OF ARDAGH.

These fortified Duns, lie adds, were tlie residences of the kings
and chiefs of that time. Such a mound was the Moat of
Granard, and, therefore, I have said it was in the day of its
initial use — a royal residence and rampart as well. It is now
imder grass, whilst its internal chambers, which are, doubtless,
of the ordinary kind found in such places, are imtenanted, save
by the fairies, whom popular superstition has rooted there,
never to be evicted by crowbar or other brigade. It has not
been under tillage in the memory of any person living in the
neighbourhood of Granard. The people have almost invariably
felt a great reluctance to put such places under tillage. Tales are
sometimes told of calamities that befel the families or cattle
of foolhardy persons who outraged these dwellings of the fairies
by tilling the enclosure or removing the earth, or endeavouring
to penetrate their recesses. But this is only a superstitious fear.
The Duns, Raths, Lisses of Drogheda, Naas, and Castletown,
near Dundalk, are now crowned with modern buildings, and the
inhabitants of these towns are none the worse of the supposed
Fairies.

If evil results to mind or body followed attempted excava-
tions of such places, fear seated in weak minds and nervous
constitutions, and not the alleged Fairies, produced such effects.

Probably in the chambers of these Lisses, articles of con-
siderable value lie concealed. Having thus determined the
origin and use of the Moat of Granard, what shall I say of its
age. I have already said the period of its erection can, in my
opinion be only approximated. It is certain that it was in exist-
ence, as I have already shown, when St. Patrick visited Granard.
But how long before his advent it was in existence I am unable
precisely to determine. It does not seem improbable to suppose
that its erection was coeval with Queen Maev. At all events it
was touched by the sacred feet — (consoling thought for Gra-
nardians) — of our national Apostle, who, accompanied by St.
Guasact, climbed its steep sides, until having reached its sum-
mit, they looked upon the fertile plains stretching out in all
directions ; and blest them. I recollect to have employed my
mind on a certain occasion when making this difficult ascent
with pleasing and ennobling reflections upon the fact and mode
of St. Patrick's visit to this elevated spot. I derived courage,
strength, and joy from the thought that I was climbing possibly
by the very same footway to where St. Patrick and Guasact
came ages ago. I well remember to have on a certain occasion
asked a Dispensary Doctor, whose duties frequently obliged
him to ascend steep and rugged mountains, and attend the
wants of the sick poor, how he used to feel when climbing the
difficult heights, and he answered : " I keep thinking it will be

RECOLLECTIONS OF GRANARD, CO. LONGFORD. 345

^ery much, easier when coming down." And what is more to
the point, I recall, with pleasure, a conversation I had in 1875, in
a Roman hotel, with an American Presbyterian Parson, after one
of his daily excursions to some of the many objects of everlasting
interest to every Christian. He had just been to see the
Mamertine Prison where Saints Peter and Paul were chained ;
he was just after feasting his eyes and mind upon the glorious
Basilicas of San Pietro in Montorio, San Paolo Fuori, La Mura,
San Pietro in Vincoli, and St. Peter's itself — and in giving some
of his impressions regarding what he had seen, he observed
(his eyes moistened with tears) : "I have said to myself more
than once to-day, ' is it a fact or is it a dream, that I am stand-
ing where Saints Peter and Paul stood ? — walking in the very
place where they walked ? ' " He became overwhelmed by the
thought. It was a moment of inward salutary growth for him.
"His mind itself, expanded by the spot, had grown (not colossal)
almost Catholic." He was afterwards received into the one
true Church. Yes, there is a salutary spell about the places
■sanctified by the footprints of our Apostles, which elevates,
ennobles, and expands the soul. Be that as it may, the Book
of Armagh tells us that St. Patrick, having consecrated St. Mel,
and founded his church at Ardagh, passed on to the Northern
Teffia, now the Barony of Granard, and there founded the
Nunnery of Clonbroney, over which he placed Ameria, sister
of St. Guasact. Guasact himself, son of Milcho, he ordained,
and afterwards made Bishop of Granard. Ware says that
Granard was an early Episcopal See, founded by St. Patrick.
I do not find sufl&cient evidence to enable me to say that it was
at any time an Episcopal See, independent of Ardagh. There
are two ways by which we may explain the fact that Granard
once had a bishop of its own. The first method is founded on
the supposition that it was once an independent See, with terri-
torial jurisdiction of its own. But this supposition does not
seem probable. If it ever was it had certainly lost its inde-
pendence, and had been amalgamated with Ardagh, before the
Synods of Rathbreasal and Kells, held for the purpose of recon-
structing and consolidating the different dioceses, already too
nmnerous. In no published list known to me does the See of
Granard appear amongst the sixty Sees to be so absorbed. I
therefore think we must have recourse to the second method of
explanation, which is to be found in the existence of the
Chorepiscopi.

I pass over Dr. Todd's theory of " non-diocesan jurisdiction,"
"because I am convinced that the Very Reverend Dr. Gargan,
Y.G., has, in his very able essay on the Ancient Church of
•Ireland, entirely demolished its claims to probability.

346 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Dr. Todd affirms that there was "no archiepiscopal or dio-
cesan jurisdiction in Ireland until the twelfth century, no fixed
Sees, no regular succession or jurisdiction; and that St. Patrick
and his followers adopted the plan of sending forth bishops to-
act independently, or subject only to the abbot of his monastery,
or, in the spirit of clanship, to his chieftain." Of course, if
this theory were adopted, Granard would have been as inde-
pendent a See as any other in the country, and St. Guasact
as independent a bishop as St. Mel ; that is to say, they would
have had no independence at all. But, as I have said, Dr. Todd's
plan for the reconstruction of early Irish history has been com-
pletely destroyed by his Eminence Cardinal Moran and Dr.
Gargan. The theory of the Order of Chorepiscopi remains-
and is well founded. It is generally admitted that such an
order existed in Ireland from the introduction of Christianity
into this island, and was continued until the twelfth century,
concurrently with " independent diocesan jurisdiction," " fixed
Sees," and " regular succession." A Chorepiscopus was a priest
who, having received episcopal consecration, was not appointed
to any See of his own ; but continued subordinate to the bishop
of the church or diocese in which he officiated. He was a
bishop; but, as such, had no territorial jurisdiction. There
were many such bishops here in Ireland, as well as in all parts
of the early Christian Church. Such was the practice in the
East and West from the third century. Such was the practice
where St. Patrick himself was consecrated ; and bringing the
discipline of his Mother Church with him into this land, our
Apostle had a bishop consecrated and placed in every city,
town, and village. Hence, St. Patrick consecrated, the Book of
Armagh teUs us, four hundred and fifty bishops. We may
therefore suppose that St. Guasact was only a Chorepiscopiis, and
that Granard was not an independent See, or that at the time
of Guasact's consecration St. Patrick had not yet made a regular
diocesan division. This view receives confirmation from what
is foimd in the Monasticon Hihernicum. There it is stated
that St. Patrick foTmded a monastery at Lerha, near to Granard,.
and dedicated it to the B. Y. Mary, and appointed St. Guasact
its first abbot. I find no record of the successors of St. Guasact
as Bishop. The following extract from the " Tripartite Life,"
p. 1^3, coll. 2, 6, 20, may be interesting : —

" The holy man, Patrick, journeying to northern Teffia, the
country of the infidel Cairbre i.e. Carbry, whom he had
before stricken with the dart of his malediction, on account of
his perversity and obstinacy in evil ; where the sons of the
same Carbry received him with due honour, granting to him the
delightful place called Granard to erect a church thereon, over-

RECOLLECTIONS OF GRANARD, CO. LONGFORD. 34:7

-whicli lie placed, as Bishop, Guasact, tlie son of Milcho, who
was formerly his own master or rather torturer (tyrant)."

His feast is commemorated on the 24th Januar}'. Here I
may observe that all antiquarians and writers on ecclesiastical
matters who have touched the subject of the antiquities of this
locality, have written of Lerha, now Abbey- lara, as one of the
most precious and sacred possessions of Granard. When, for
example, they write of '' St. Mary's, Granard," it is of the old
Monastery of Lerha they speak. I note this fact because
Granard and Abbey-lara, being now distinct parishes, and
more than an Irish mile apart, a modern traveller and inquirer
anxious to see the ruins of the famous Cisterian Abbey, founded
by Sir Richard Tuite, and called St. Mary's, Granard, would
scarcely think of going to look for it at Abbey-lara ; and yet
it is only there he finds it. Sir Richard Tuite performed
and left after him two great works of different orders ; one
purely secular and the other religious. In 1199 he built the
Castle of Granard as a defence against O'Reilly of BrefE-
ney. I make this and the following statement on the autho-
rity of the Annals of Lough Ci. In 1205, Sir Richard Tuite
foimded an abbey here, to the honour of the B. V. Mary, for
monks of the Cistercian Order, whom he brought from St.
Mary's Abbey, Dublin, an abbey rendered famous, in 1551, by
the public disputation which took place within its walls, at the
special invitation of the Viceroy, in the presence of the clergy
and a vast concourse of people, and was terminated by contri-
buting a fatal blow to Protestantism in Ireland. It was that
same abbey which gave to the See of Ardagh, in 1647, Patrick
Joseph Plunkett, who, at one period of his reign, was the
only bishop living, moving, and performing the functions of
his high office in Ireland. He ordained, after his return
from exile, two hundred priests from various dioceses of
Ireland, there being no other resident bishop in the kingdom
save the bed-ridden Bishop of Kilmore. In 1211, Sir Richard
Tuite was interred in this Abbey, having been crushed to death
by the falling of a tower in Athlone. He was a brave, noble
and generous soul. His representatives now reside at Sonna,
Co. Meath, but unhappily they do not belong to the Church of
their great ancestor. St. Mary's, Granard, so nobly founded
and richly endowed, was pillaged, rifled, and despoiled about a
century after its erection. In 1315, Edward Bruce, commander
of the Scots, advanced upon Granard, burned it, and after-
wards seized and plundered the Monastery. This was the third
burning of Granard recorded by the Annalists. To one of
these burnings an unfortunate dispute between the chieftains
of Breffny East and Breffy West, led. The first took place in

-348

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

1066, wben Murcliadli, son of Diarmaid, marched upon Gra-
nard ; and the second in 1272, when Aed O'Conchobhair, like
an angel of destruction, passed through it and the neighbouring
-Meath, The monastery, however, survived the spoliation. In
1398, Peter, its Abbot, was consecrated Bishop of Clonmacnoise,
whilst in 1447, John O'Mayle, one of his successors in St.
Mary's, was also called to succeed him. in the See of St. Ciaran.
Dr. Brady, in his very valuable notes upon the Irish Monaste-
ries, has the following extracts from Roman manuscripts,
regarding this celebrated Abbey. " Granard, alias Lerha,
1423. John, on the 11th October, 1423, Yen. vir. D. Johannes
Abbas Monasterri B. Mariae de Granardo Ardagh-eden-Dioc,
&c., &c., obtulit 33| florenos auri, &c., &c., et quinque servitia
■conseuta. Mandati Camerali."

: *a489. January 20, CorneKus O'Fergal on the 23rd
-January, 1489. Yener. Yir. Cornelius O'Fergayl. Oommen-
datarius Monasterii B. Mariae de Granardo, alias de Leathia
Cisterc, ordinis Ardachaden Dioc, principalis obtulit, &c., &c.
(ratione commendae eidem D™™** Cornelis faciendae per Bullas
J)^ Innocentii Papae YIII. sub dat. 13 Kalend. Decembris,
anno quinto &c.) floneros auri de Camera 83 cum uno tertio."
Obligazioni. Its last Abbot was Richard OTarrell, who,
according to Archdall, was made Bishop ofj Ardagh in 1541.
-Sir James Ware places the succession of E.. OTarrell to the
See of Ardagh in the same year, 1541, whilst Dr. Brady states
that his appointment was ignored at Rome, and on Queen
Mary's accession Patrick MacMahon was restored to the tem-
poralities of which he had been deprived on account of alleged
simony and non-residence, and having his cathedral in ruins. The
words of "Ware are " Richard Farrell, Abbot of Granard, being
elected by the Dean and Chapter, obtained restitution of the
temporalities of this See on the 14th July, 1541. But he was
not consecrated until after the 22nd April, 1542, on which day
George Cromer, Archbishop of Armagh, being disabled through
sickness, issued a commission to any three bishops of Ireland to
consecrate him. He died in 1553, having sat twelve years.
He was Dynast of Annally (Longford) as long as he lived.
Patrick MacMahon succeeded him in the bishopric, and Conal
Ferrall in the dynasty. This place was the Campo Santo or
holy cemetery of the Chieftains of Annally. For they erected
there a Mortuary Chapel for themselves and their posterity,
just as the O'Connors, MacDermots, O'KeUys, O'Malones, and
O'Melaghlins had done at Clonmacnoise. Illustrious members
of the O'Ferrall family, who had distinguished themselves not
only in the Church, but also in the senate, and the camp,
repose, as, to their dmt, in the roofless remains of St. Mary's,

KECOLLECTIONS OF GRANARD, CO. LONGFORD. 349-'

Granard. The Monasticon Hibernicum contains the following
remarks regarding the possessions of this Abbey at the time of
its surrender : —

" On the surrender of the abbey the said Richard was seized of two caru-
cates of land, with their appurtenances, in Olonemore, of the yearly value,
besides reprises, of 13s. 4d. ; four carucates in Lerha, of the yearly value,
besides reprises, of 26s. 8cZ. ; two carucates in Clonecryawe, of the yearly value, ,
besides reprises, of 13«. 4cZ. ; two carucates in Tonnaghmore, of the yearly
value, besides reprises, of 13s. Ad. • four carucates in Monktown, of the yearly
value, besides reprises, of 26s. 8d. ; and the tithes of corn in the rectory of
Monkton, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 40s. ; also of a moiety of the
tithes of the rectory of Granard, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of
26s. Sd. ; a moiety of the tithes of the rectory of Drumlonian, of the yearly
value, besides reprises, of 13s. 4cZ. ; and the moiety of the tithes of the rectory
of Ballymachivy, of the yearly value, besides reprises, of 10s. The rectories of
Athlone, Levanaghan, Clonmacnoise, Tessauran, Ballyloughlo, and Reynagh
{i.e., the whole Diocese of Clonmacnoise, were all appropriated to this abbey)."

From this extract it is evident that St. Mary*s, Granard,
was a wealthy institution. Like so many other abbeys, it had
been founded by the generous and powerful as a fitting but
humble tribute to the great Author of all good gifts. A con-
secrated sanctuary of prayer, an asylum of charity, a bulwark
of religion and science it was indeed, and, moreover, a welcome
home for the destitute and afflicted. If its abbots held large
estates it was in trust for religious purposes ; and their tenants
were happy and comfortable. Cases of oppression, rack-renting,,
and eviction were unknown to them imtil the crozier had been
exchanged for the sceptre. But the Parliament under St. Leger
sat in 1541, and the Act was passed granting all the abbeys and
priories to his Majesty the King, who distributed their posses-
sions amongst his nobles, courtiers, and others, reserving to
himself certain annual rents. The work of public plunder, thus
commenced under the schismatical Henry, was continued with
increased vigour and rapacity by the heretical Elizabeth. A
furious and destructive tempest had indeed been raised, and it
raged and rolled with unabated energy during her unhappy
reign over the Church of Ireland, until the sanctuary, with its
loveliness and religion, with its blessings, appeared alike
involved in the same wreck. St. Mary's, Granard, when the
storm had subsided was to be found only in ruins, whence it
has not risen even to this day.

The last historical recollection in connexion with this old
town, which I shall presently reproduce is a most praiseworthy
effort, made towards the close of last century by one of its own
sons, although himself in exile, to save the Irish harp from
extinction. Mr. Walker wrote in 1786, when he published his
history of Irish bards, "that the school of harp-players was

-350 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

fast dying out." Mr. Dungan, a native of Grranard, but re-
siding at Copenhagen, establislied an institution at Granard for
awarding annual prizes to the best performers on the harp.
Seven harpers competed there for his prizes in 1784, and the
contest terminated with a ball, attended by the gentry of the
neighbourhood. For two centuries the penal laws had been
fiercely directed towards the extinction of Irish music, as well
as devotion to the faith. The total extirpation of the Irish
minstrels was especially aimed at. From the earliest times
the Irish had been regarded as a musical people, and their
claims to that character have been admitted even by the
foreigner. The harp was the instrument to which they were
most devoted. It was their national emblem also. Hence the
fierce and unrelenting efforts for its extinction. In the tour
of Monsieur de la B. le Gouz, published for the first time in
1653, the foUowing passage occurs : —

" They (the Irish) are fond of the harp, on which nearly all play, as the
English do on the fiddle, the French on the lute, the Italians on the guitar, the
Spaniards on the castanets, the Scotch on the bagpipe, the Swiss on the fife,
the Germans on the trumpet, the Dutch on the tambourine, and the Turks on
the flageolet."

A commentator on the above passage says —

" This reminds one of our own Goldsmith, when he says: 'I have dnmk
burgundy with the French, hoUands with the Dutch, gin with the Swiss ;
eaten vermicelli at Naples, and sourcrout in Germany."

Certainly both these writers were citizens of the world, as
doubtless was also our noble-hearted and generous-handed exile
from Granard, who, from his adopted home at Copenhagen,
made so patriotic an effort to save our national musical instru-
ment from extinction. Surely a soul of such noble and lofty
aims deserved success.

ISee Appendix.']

ST. MANCHAN, HIS CHURCH AND SHRINE. 351

ST. MANCHAN, HIS CHFECH AND SHRINE.

About three miles north-east of Ferbane, King's County, skirt-
ing the main road to Clara, may be seen the site of the once
celebrated monastic establishment, founded about the middle of
the seventh century, by St. Manchan of Liath. Standing on a
low swell, an armlet of well-reclaimed bog, it gently rises above
the extensive moors with which it is almost surrounded. Here,
in the midst of scenery of a character altogether desolate and
lonely, but poetic and sublime, are to be found what remains of
the Church and house of Manchan. Both repose beneath the
shadow of one of the " Seven Fair Castles" of MacCoghlan of
Delvin Eathra, and within sight of St. Columb's famous Dur-
xow, and the now celebrated Intermediate College, conducted by
the Jesuits at Tidlabeg. Lemanaghan was originally subject to
the jurisdiction of Clonmacnoise, having come out from that
great centre of religion, science, and art, as a monastic foun-
dation.

Like so many others of our once famous abbeys, it had its
origin in royal munificence, as the following passage, taken from
the " Annals of the Four Masters" will clearly show: —

" A.D. 645, the battle of Cam Conaill (probably Ballyconnell, in the vicinity
of Gort, Co. Galway), was gained by Dermot, King of Ireland, over Ouiare,
King of Connaught, in which the two Cuans were killed — viz., Cuan, the son
af Enda, King of Munster ; and Cuan, the son of Connell, Chief of Hy-Figente;
and also Talmnach, Chief of Hy-Liathin. Guaire was routed from the field.
On marching to the battle. King Dermot passed through Clonmacnoise, and the
congregation of St. Kieran prayed to God for his success, and through their
prayers he returned safe.

"After the King's return he granted Tuaim-n-Eirc, i.e., Liath Manchan,
with its divisions of land, i.e., (all the lands included under that name), as an
Altar Sod or Altar-land to God and St. Kieran, and he pronounced three male-
dictions on any future King of Meath if any of his people should take (with
violence), even so much as a drink of water there."

MacGeoghegan, in his translations of the Annals of Clon-
macnoise, gives much the same account : —

"The battle of Carne-Connell, on the Feast of Pentecost, was given by
Dermot MacHugh Slane, and going to meet his enemies went to Clonvicknoise
to make his devotion to St, Queran, was met by the abbots, prelates, and clergy
of Clonvicknoise in procession, where they prayed God and St. Queran to give
him victory over his enemies, which God granted at their requests, for they
had victory, and slew Cuan, King of Munster, and Cuan, King of Feiginty, and
so giving the foyle to his enemies, returned to Clonvicknoise again to congra-
tulate the clergy by whose intercession he gained the victory, and bestowed on
them/or ever Foymincrcke, with the appurtenances, now called Lyavanchan, in
honour of God and St. Queran, to be held free, without any charge in the world,
in so much that the King of Meath might not thenceforth challenge a draught
■of water thereout by way of any charge."

352 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

It was tlius Clonmacnoise obtained the ownership of that
place, a spot afterwards celebrated tbrougb its connection with
bim wbo established thereon a monastery. The personal fame
and greatness of its founder and patron was the occasion of
acquiring for it a new name — viz., Liath Manchan — a name hy
which not alone the group of monastic ruins, but the entire
parish, is called and known, even to this day.

The foimder and patron of this old monastic establishment
was Manchan.* Considerable uncertainty, however, surrounds
his identification, for there were several saints of that name. In
the Irish calendars records are to be found of twelve distinct
festivals, set apart to honour saints called Manchan. Just as
there have been many saints called Ronan and Lasera, so, too,
there have been several Manchans. Of these, the most cele-
brated seem to have been Manchan, Abbot and Bishop of Tom-
graney, Co. Clare ; Manchan, of Dysart GaUen, Queen's Co.,
who was called the tcise Irishman. The remains of his church
and monastery are still to be seen in a sequestered and romantic
valley, surrounded by scenery of a character charmingly pictur-
esque and lovely. His virtues are recorded in the Book de-
Mirahilihus Scripturae. But Manchan, of Liath Manchan, seems
to have been the greatest of them all. "Ware states that amongst
the alleged works of Richard Fitzralph, Archbishop of Armagh,,
was a Vita Sancti Manchani.

It is even said that Ussher had it in his hand, but Dr.
Todd and others searched for it in Ussher's Library and failed
to find it. Some say it is in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. If
so, I hope yet to read it. Meanwhile, I shall set down now
what appears to be certain from present available sources re-
garding Manchan of Lemanaghan.

The Annals of Clonmacnoise state " it was erroneously
affirmed that Manchan was a Welshman, and came to this coim-
try with St. Patrick." It seems good, therefore, to here set
down his pedigree to disprove their allegations. Manchan was
the son of Failve, who was the son of Augine, who was son of
Bogany, who was son of Connell Galban, the ancestors of
O'Donnell, as is confidently laid down among the genealogies of
the saints of Ireland. It seems, moreover, certain that he was-
a very learned man, at least in the Scriptures, for he was called
the Jerome of Ireland, being " very like unto him in habits of'
life and learning."

Besides, he was a poet of a very high order, having com-
posed that charming poem : —

" Would that, 0 Son of the living God!
0 eternal, ancient King !" &c., &c.

* Petrie, O'Donovan, and others, unanimously state that Monahan is the-
English name of Manchan.

ST. MANCHAN, HIS CHURCH AND SHRINE. 353

It appears to be beyond all doubt that lie was very highly
venerated in his time for learning as well as sanctity, for Tiger-
nach, the earliest of our annalists, having recorded his death as
Bishop and Abbot, speaks of him as one of the most eminent
persons who fell victims to that great mortality which, sparing
neither sinner nor saint, prevailed in Ireland about the year
661.

It is thus recorded in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, " a.d.
661, Enos of Ulster and St. Manchan of Leith, together with
many other princes, bishops, and abbots, died of the said pesti-
lence," It was called the Buidhe Connail, or yellow plague.
The "Four Masters" record his death at the year 664, but
they are generally three, and sometimes five years later than the
Annals of Clonmacnoise.

Archdall, after placing the death of St. Manchan, the patron
of Lemanaghan, under the year 661, adds, under the year 694 :
"We find another St. Manchan, of Leith, who lived after this
year." For this he refers to Colgan. Acta, S.S., page 382, but
the year 694 there is only a misprint for 664, which is the date
of the Four Masters, from whom Colgan translated the passage.
Petrie thinks Archdall's mind was a blunt one.

In the year 1838 Mr. Petrie visited Lemanaghan, and he
tells us, in the record of his visit, that he sketched the original
church and oratory of St. Manchan, and found it to be only
twenty-four feet in length, and fifteen in width. He added
that it presents to the antiquary an interesting characteristic
specimen of the architecture of the seventh century." But the
parish church still remains, and is situate in the village of Le-
managhan, and is in tolerably good preservation. It is of much
larger size and of later age, as shown from its ornamented door-
way, which exhibits unmistakable features of the architecture
of the eleventh or twelfth century.

Not far distant are three holy wells, to which the blind,
lame, and persons afflicted with other chronic diseases,
come on the anniversary of the patron saint's death (the 24th
January).

A togher, or paved causeway, leads to one of these wells, and
extends further on by several yards, until it reaches the low
swell on which is to be seen the cell which St. Manchan built
for his mother. The antiquarian will be much interested on
reaching this spot. This road, which resembles in many respects
that leading from the Seven Churches to the Church of the Nuns,
or DevorgaiVs restored Church, is paved with large flag-stones.
At the end of it you come upon an old cyclopean building, sur-
rounded by an ancient Mur, or wall of earth, faced with stone-
work.

24

354 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

The enclosure is rectangular and measures fifty yards by
thirty-six.

About the centre of this Cashel stands a rectangular cell of
extreme antiquity, measuring about eighteen by ten feet, the
walls being over three feet in width or thickness. The doorway
is square-headed. The lintel passes through the entire thickness of
the wall. There is no sign of any mode of hanging or fastening
a door — the sides are inclined, and there is no window in the
sides of the building. This is the cell which tradition states
Manchan built for his mother, St. Mella. Hoic ajjpalUng was not
the rigour and severity of sanctity in those days ! I^y now mantles
this curious cell, and the enclosure or Cashel is planted with trees.

But the most interesting object of all connected with this
celebrated monastic foundation is the shrine of St. Manchan.
Scriniimi Sancti Manchani the Annalists declare to have been
called, opus pulcherimum quod fecit opifex in Hibemia.

This venerable shrine certainly holds a conspicuous place
amongst Irish ecclesiastical antiquities. Being a monument of
very high antiquity, it cannot fail to awaken at all times a lively
interest amongst antiquarians, aJSording, as it does, an illustra-
tion of a class of objects formerly numerous, but now very rare.
" It was covered by Roderick O'Conor, and an embroidering of
gold was carried over it by him in as good a style as a relic was
ever covered in Ireland." — Four Masters.

There is, and always was, an intimate connexion between
shrines, reliques, pilgrimages, and processions. The shrine
containing a relique was, at first, a plain chest of wood.
Gradually it became the subject of more or less ornament in
proportion to the veneration attached to the object it contained.
Shrines originally portable, thus became in course of time large
and stately structures, and were set up in churches for the
veneration of the faithful. The origin of shrines is traceable to
a very remote period. The Israelites, for example, when they
were departing from Egypt, took with them the bones of Joseph
(according to his own direction) and kept them during their
many years' journeyings into the Promised Land. When the
dead man was restored to life on touching the bones of the
Prophet Eliseus, when diseases departed and evil spirits went out
of them to whom handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched
the body of St. Paul were applied, the foundation was laid for
that veneration which found one mode of expression in the
decoration of the shrine. The veneration amongst Christians
for reliques and shrines began in the Apostolic times. St.
Ignatius, who was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist, and who
is believed to have been the child that our Lord took in his arms,
was martyred at Home, a.d. 107, and his bones were afterwards

ST. MANCHAN, HIS CHURCH AND SHRINE. 355

collected and placed in a napkin, and carried to Antioch, and
preserved as an inestimable treasure left to the Church. Like-
wise, after the martyrdom of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna,
who is commended in the "Revelations," and who was a disciple
of St. John, the Christians who were present at his death, a.d. 147,
" took up his bones, more precious than the richest jewels and
tryed above gold," and deposited them where it was fitting, and
probably in some secure depository until they could be honourably
enclosed in a shrine.

In Ireland, the use of shrines is contemporaneous with the
introduction of Christianity. So great has been the veneration
in which our ancestors held them, that in spite of the wars and
revolutions of so many centuries, a few well authenticated
examples are still to be seen amongst us. And there are many
places in Ireland which have been called Skryne or Skreen,
owing to the bones of some saint having been deposited there in
a shrine. The shrine of St. Columba, per varies casus per tot
discrimina rerum — the chief object for so long a time of the rov-
ing and murderous northmen's search — was brought from lona
to Ireland for safety. Walafridas Strabus thus writes of it : —

" Ad sanctum venere patrem pretiosa metalla
Reddere cogentes queis sancti sancta Colombae
Ossa jacent, quam quippe suis de sedibus, arcam
Tollentes tumiilo terra posuere cavato
Cespite sub denso gnari jam pestis iniquae
Hauc praedam cupiere Dani."

In England, Durham and Canterbury possessed the most
celebrated shrines, viz., those of St. Cuthbert, the Yenerable
Bede, and Thomas a Beckett.

By the order of Henry VIII. both were despoiled. When
that of Cuthbert, an Irish saint, was broken open, the Commis-
sioners, to their amazement, observed the body of the saint
entire and uncorrupt, arrayed in his pontifical vestments. Dis-
mayed, they stopped short, until they learned the king's pleasure.
When it was known, the body was buried beneath the place
where the shrine had been.

Scott, following the popular traditions regarding the con-
cealment of St. Cuthbert's reliques in some part of Durham,
wrote the following : —

" Where his Cathedral huge and vast
Looks down upon the Wear,
There deep m Durham's Gothic shade
His reliques are hi secret laid.
But none may know the place
Save his holiest servants three,
Deep sworn to solemn secrecy
Who share that wondrous grace."

356 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

In England, nearly all the shrines were broken and plundered
at the time of the Reformation.

That of Edward the Confessor, I have been told, is the only
one remaining, and is preserved at Westminster Abbey.

The shrine of St. Werburgh was in tolerably good preserva-
tion up to about ten years ago, at Chester ; of which she is the-
Virgin Patroness.

It was until quite recently a beautiful and lofty stone remain.

The colours on her tomb were pleasing and striking. It was
used up to about ten years ago as a throne for the Protestant
Bishop, who, finding it inconveniently high for that purpose,,
had it removed and replaced by the present elegant Gothic
throne, to hold the prelate and his two chaplains. Alas, the
saint's once beautiful tomb lies now a mass of broken ruins,
strewn on the floor of the south aisle of the choir, where they
can be seen through the railings of the aisle at the entrance
under the tower.

In Ireland, the destruction was not so complete, owing to
the tenacity with which its ever faithful CathoKcs clung to
their faith. Its shrines, reliques, and consecrated objects they
guarded as the apple of their eye. It is honourable to our
national character to have preserved, in spite of the strongest
temptations, with such becoming fidelity, these sacred deposits,,
and over so many generations after they had lost their other
possessions. But to return to the shrine of St. Manchan. It is
preserved in the Chapel of Boher, near to the Prospect Station,
on the Great Southern and "Western Railway to Athlone. It
was formerly kept in a small thatched building used as a chapel
in the penal times. Local traditions state that the chapel
was burned, but the shrine was miraculously saved from the fire.

It was afterwards cared by Mr. Mooney, of Doon, who finally
placed it in the hands of its natural and best guardian and pro-
tector, the Parish Priest for the time being, where it now rests.
Like Colomba's shrine, it has travelled much, but imder
different circumstances and from different causes. It was at
at two of the great Exhibitions in Dublin. It was at one of the
great London Exhibitions, and it was at one of the great Exhibi-
tions of Paris, held during the reign of Napoleon III., who
sent a gold medal to the then Bishop of Ardagh, Dr. Kilduff, of
happy memory, in consideration for the loan of so valuable a
relic.

In the lapse of time it lost some of its original orna-
ments, but a fair idea of what it was in its perfect state may be
gathered from the fac-simile (No. 1857) by Dr. Carte, to be
seen in the Gold Room of the Royal Irish Academy. In this-
fac-simile the deficient parts have been restored from those-

ST. MANCHAN, HIS CHURCH AND SHRINE.

357

whicli remain. In form this very valuable relic (four hundred
pounds sterling were offered for it, but they would not sell it
for money) resembles that generally belonging to the ancient
Ciborium, and usually represented by the top of the stone
crosses. Some think the form of this ancient shrine was adopted
in imitation of the high pitched stone roofs which covered the
ancient cells of the saints in whose memory and honour they
were made. Its material is of yew, and artistically covered with
brass- work, inlaying of ivory and enamelling. On each of its
two sides are crosses, formed in the centre and extremities by
five large cups or paterae. Underneath are to be seen figures
in bass-relief, formed of brass also and separate from each other.
The figures of one side have been lost altogether, but eleven
. still remain on the other. There are fifty- two figures missing,
which filled in the other six compartments.

The vacant places in the wood of the shrine proclaim their
absence. Mr. Grraves, in his beautiful essay on this shrine,
illustrated by striking and excellent photographs, which are so
valuable in connection with such a subject, observes, that he
heard on undoubted authority, the servant maid of one of its
conservators set to work to clean it and succeeded in scouring
off most of its gilding. It reminds one of the fate of the Cong
Irish Manuscripts, in vellum, splendidly illuminated.
One of the figures, however, is in the Petrie Collection of the
Royal Irish Academy, in the same room with the Crozier of
the Clonmacnoise Abbots and the Chalice of Ardagh, objects of
much interest to the antiquary. There is also at present an-
other of these missing figures in possession of his Lordship, Dr.
"VVoodlock, the venerated Bishop of Ardagh.

A learned writer on this subject thus briefly describes this
shrine : — " The Shrine of St. Manchan is a wooden chest of
cruciform figure — that is, of a wedge resting on its base with the
edge uppermost. The two principal sides which slope upwards
after the manner of a double reading desk, overlap both the
base and the triangular ends or gables." But any description
of this shrine, minus photographic views, can convey only an
imperfect notion of its beauty. There is one figure, that of a
warrior hehneted and wearing the philibeg or kilt, which
deserves a passing notice ; for it, together with the other figures,
illustrates not only the state of the fine arts in Ireland before
the arrival of the English, but, moreover, proves that the use of
the kilt was not confined to the Scottish Highlanders, but was
common amongst the Irish.

Petrie tells us, in his Book on the Eound Towers, that
hefore the irruptions of the Danes, in the eighth and
jninth centuries, there were few distinguished churches in

358 DIOCESE OF AKDAGH.

Ireland without costly shrines containing the relics of their -
founders.

Cogitosus speaks of the two shrines of Kildare and their
costly materials. There were, moreover, the shrines of Saints,
Bridgid, Ciaran, Honan, Comgall, and a host of others. There
were the decorations of St. Bridgid's Church, of which
Cogitosus tells, and the frescoes at St. Cormac's Chapel,
on the Rock of Cashel, not yet wholly destroyed ; there were
the niimiiaations of the religious books in which the painter's
skill was best known.

There was that copy of the Four Gospels seen by Cambrensis,
and so much praised even by him.

There were these beautiful works of art and many others
well calculated to excite admiration. But the AnnaKsts say,
pulcherimum opus quod fecit opifex in Hibernia fuit Scriniimi
Sancti Manchani. Surely the words of the great sceptical poet
Byron apply here with double force : —

" Even the faintest relics of a shrine
Of such worship wake some thoughts divine."

The following extract from Petrie will, I hope, appropriately
conclude my observations regarding this shrine : —

"This reliquary, sadly mutilated as it is, still preserves enough of its
original characteristic features to enable us to form a correct idea of its
primeval, costly, and elaborate beauty, and to become intimately acquainted
with what may be regarded as the final development of that phase of Celtic
art-ornamentation in Ireland, which has excited such a deep interest through-
put Europe in our own time.

"And in this shattered, mutilated shrine we behold an impressive
illustration of the final extinction of that graceful imaginative art, as well as
that of the Monarchy, which had seen its birth and fostered its development."

Throughout this essay I have assumed that the word Moethail,
which occurs in the " Annals of the Four Masters," is one of
the errors of transcription, or guesses to supply an obliteration
in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, from which they copied the
reference to this shrine. Moreover, many writers suppose St.
Manchan of Mohil, and St. Manchan of Lemanaghan, to be the
same person, and thus he is styled the patron of Seven Churches,
and invoked in the Tallaght Martyrology in the following
words : —

"Sanctum Manchan cum ejus centum et viginta fratribus invoco, per
Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, &c."

APPENDIX.

ANOTHER MARTYR-PRIEST BELONGING TO ARDAGH AND CLON-
MACNOISE.

Besides the OTerrall martyrs wlio liave been already treated
of, Ardagh may justly claim as one of her priesthood Father
Bernard Moriarty, who was favoured with a martyr's croTvnti.
He was Dean of Ardagh, Archdeacon of Clonmacnoise, and
when Mathew de Oviedo succeeded to the Archdiocese of Dublin,
he was appointed by him his Vicar-General.

In Father Mooney's MSS. " History of the Franciscan
Monasteries in Ireland," the narrative of Dr. Moriarty's arrest,
sufferings, and death is touchingly told. I quote from Father
Meehan's " Franciscan Monasteries " : — "Sir Francis Shane, the
Governor of Granard and the bordering country, came in
October, 1601, with a strong detachment of EngHsh soldiers to
invade the Monastery of Multifernan, pillage it and seize the
friars. On their march, and within bow- shot of it, they
arrested Richard Brady, formerly Bishop of Ardagh, and then of
Kilmore. They also arrested Father Bernard Moriarty, Dean
of Ardagh. Having entered the convent they arrested aU the
friars they found there, together with the lay brothers. It
was then dark night and we were returning from the church to
our cells when we found ourselves in the hands of the soldiers.
In the confusion some of the friars escaped out of the convent
and sought refuge in the neighbouring woods. As for the
Bishop, Shane sent him and some others under escort to the
castle of Ballimore on Loughshodie, some twelve miles south-
west of Mullingar; while I, the guardian, and a few other
members of the community were detained prisoners in the
monastery. Thus were we kept for two days. Shane, indeed,
hoped to light on some rich treasure in our poor house, but he
was disappointed ; for, after searching the entire edifice, he
could find nothing save a goodly store of provisions, which was
sent to the monastery by the nobility and gentry, who were

360 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

wont to come thither on the feast of St. Francis, then nigh at
hand. This was an old usage in that place, as there were no
inns in the neighbourhood. In the meantime, while the soldiers
were making merry on the good cheer, never intended for them,
I contrived to effect the escape of the guardian and some others ;
and, indeed, I, too, might have got o£E, had I so willed it, but
as it was within two days of the time appointed for making my
religious profession, I preferred remaining in custody, knowing
right well that Shane would send me to the castle on Lough-
shodie, where the provincial was confined. On the expiration
of the second day, Shane ordered me and a lay brother out
of the convent, and setting us on horses, sent us prisoners to
Ballimore. Alas, I never will forget the horrors of that day,
for we had gone hardly a mile when Shane came galloping up,
and commanding us to halt, directed our attention to a mass of
fire and smoke clearly visible in the distance, exclaiming at the
same time with fiendish malevolence : — * Yile poltroons ! see
how I have burnt your monastery to the ground.' Thus, on
the 3rd of October, 1601, did that inhuman monster give our
venerable house of Multifernan to the flames.

" With a heavy heart we held on our way to the castle of
Ballimore ; and as we rode along, Shane, who did not venture
to do me personal harm, waxing jocose, began to banter me
about the habit I wore. ' You,' said he, ' have been a soldier,
and you ought to be ashamed of that Papistic dress. Cast it
off. I don't ask you to abjure your Popery ; but come and
take service under our Queen, and you may be certain that you
will not be forgotten when Blount, our puissant deputy, has
crushed O'Neill and O'DonneU. The broad lands of those base
traitors shall soon be given to her Majesty's true lieges ; and,
assuredly, fingers like yours were better employed with sword
or matchlock than fumbling a rosary.'

" Little did I heed the ribaldry of the profane soldier ; and
weary as was the road to the Castle of Ballimore, it seemed light
and pleasant when I reflected that it led to the crowning of my
most cherished aspirations. At length we reached our journey's
end, and I had the happiness of finding myself face to face with
the Bishop of Kilmore, the guardian of Multifernan, Father
Bernard Moriarty, and some other members of our community.
They all were astonished at seeing me, for they knew that I
could have escaped from the convent had I wished to do so ;
but when I explained to them the motives which induced me to
remain a prisoner in Shane's hands, nothing could exceed the
joy which each of them evinced. ' You know, dear father,' said
I to the provincial, ' that the term for my novitiate expires to-
day, and that I desire nothing so much on this earth as to be

APPENDIX. 361

-enrolled a poor and humble disciple of St. Francis. If, there-
fore, you deem me worthy of such an honour permit me this
instant to take my profession.'

" ' "What ! ' said the venerable bishop, from whose aged eyes
the t«ars streamed fast and hot, ' are you prepared to renounce
your liberty for the poor habit of our order ? do you consent to
forego the enjoyments of a secular career for a life of penance
and mortification ? You told us that the man into whose power
we have fallen has promised you much, provided you would
divest yourself of the habit, and betake you to your old pro-
fession of arms. Ponder, therefore, what you should do, lest
perhaps, you might one day repent your precipitancy.'

" * Most reverend father,' I replied, ' nothing can shake or
alter my firm resolution. I have long yearned for this day ;
and if it be not presumptuous in one unlettered as I am to make
the reflection, I would humbly submit that all the calamities
which have overtaken us of late should be regarded as so many
stumbling-blocks cast by Satan across my path, to divert me
from the goal for which I have been struggling.'

" ' Enough, enough,' repKed the bishop, ' your desire shall
be satisfied, and may heaven help you on the rugged road you
have chosen ! '

" I then threw myself on my knees at the provincial's feet,
and in the dim light of the prison chamber made my profession,
and was duly received into the Order of St. Francis. Never,
never shall I forget the joy I felt on that day ; never while I
live shall the recollection of that hour fade from my memory.
Countless are the splendid functions I have witnessed since then,
here in Louvain, in Brussels ; but I doubt much if any of them
all could equal the solemn rite of my profession in Loughshodie.
Healize it to your imagination, dear brother ; picture to your-
self a young man in the plenitude of his strength, kneeling at
the feet of an aged bishop and his provincial, both captives for
their loyalty to God and the faith of their fathers ; and there
in the gloom of that dungeon, pronouncing with unfaltering
tongue those irrevocable vows which consecrated him the liege
servant of God, and doomed him to the persecution of ruthless
laws.

" The recollection of that crowning moment of my life has
made me digress. So let me now relate how it fared with my-
self and fellow-captives soon after my profession. Young and
vigorous as I was it was only natural that I should think of
effecting my escape from the Castle of Ballimore, and I accord-
ingly took coimsel with Father Bernard Moriarty, to whom I
communicated the various projects which presented themselves
.to my mind. He and I were lodged in the same tower every

362 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

night, and our jailors, acting more from caprice than system,.
occasionally secured us with a ponderous iron chain. It
occurred to me then that we should bide our time, and break
prison some night when our limbs were imshackled ; but on
proposing this idea to my f eUow-sufierer he would not entertain
it. I next bethought me that we might watch our opportunity
when the soldiers were not exercising, bolt the gates against
them, and hold the castle till such time as either of the native
princes, O'Neill or O'Donnell, then in arms, would send troops
to our rescue. This expedient seemed to me very feasible ; but
after a careful scrutiny of the premises, I discovered that we had
not as much gunpowder or food as would enable us to maintain
ourselves in the place longer than four days. Then again it
occurred to me that such a proceeding would necessarily be
attended with bloodshed, and as my conscience rebuked me for
entertaining so hazardous a scheme, I resolved to abandon it.
At length I found a quantity of tow, of which the soldiers used
to make matches for their arquebuses and the falconets mounted
on the ramparts ; and I immediately set about twisting it into
a rope, by which I might, whenever a favourable moment
appeared, let myself down from the window of the tower into
the ditch of the castle, and thus regain my liberty. It was idle
to think that Father Moriarty would adopt my plan, and I
therefore did not impart it to him. At last the long-wished-for
night came, and commending my soul to God and St. Francis,
I fastened one end of the rope to an iron stanchion of the
window, and gradually lowered myself till I was within ten or
twelve feet of the ditch. At this critical moment the strain on
the rope caused it to break, and I fell into the ditch, receiving
in my rapid descent some trifling bruises from the projecting
wall. Fortunately for me the ditch was full of water, which
reached above my chest, and still more fortunately the ward on
the castle-tower was quite unconscious of what was passing.
Nevertheless, I had hardly cleared the ditch when I saw the
shadowy figures of the soldiers running hither and thither in
the little camp outside the castle, with blazing torches in their
hands, as if alarmed by an unexpected onfall. There was no
time to be lost ; so nerving myself for the worst, I made what
haste I could ; and, although not very well acquainted with the
locality, I walked fully ten miles that night, till I reached the
house of a friend, who gave me shelter and cordial welcome.
Thus was Grod pleased to deliver me from that stronghold of
Ballimore.

" Almost immediately after my escape, Shane resolved to
send his remaining prisoners to Dublin Castle, for he thought
that the Irish princes, O'Neill and O'Donnell, would attempt

APPENDIX. 363

their rescue. However, as the bishop was far advanced in years,
and very feeble, Shane allowed him to take up his abode in the
house of a Catholic nobleman living in the neighbourhood, who
pledged his honour that the prelate would present himself to the
English authorities in Dublm at the close of the winter. The
bishop was faithful to his engagement ; for he set out for the
metropolis about the end of March, and on his arrival was
thrown into prison, where he remained till the summer of 1602,,
when his friends effected his enlargement by paying a heavy
fine.

"As to the other prisoners, among whom was my friend
Father Bernard Moriarty, they were sent under a strong escort
to Dublin ; but no sooner had they reached the neighbourhood
of Multif ernan than they were met by Walter Nugent, standard-
bearer to the Baron of Delvin, who commanded a company of
thirty soldiers in the Queen's pay. This valiant young officer
demanded the release of the prisoners; but when that was re-
fused he and his men attacked the escort, and eventually suc-
ceeded in liberating the friars. Unfortunately, however, two
other companies of the Queen's troops, on hearing the musketr}-,
came speedily to the scene of action, and overpowered Walter
ISTugent's detachment, six of whom lost their lives in the
skirmish. The friars were then sent on to the prison of Dublin
Castle. As for my friend Moriarty, he received a gun-shot
wound which fractured both his thighs ; and after lingering a
short time in intense agony in a dungeon, where they refused
him bed, medical attendance, or any other comfort, he finally
surrendered his pure soul to God, and was buried in the
cemetery of St. James, outside the city wall. Thus terminated
the career of this venerable priest, who, in my opinion, deserves
to be styled a martyr."

The Right Eev. Dr. Richard Brady, Bishop of Ardagh,
already named in this book, and afterwards translated to
the See of Kilmore.

The following particulars regarding this most worthy prelate
— who probably died a martyr — cannot fail to be interesting.
They rest on the authority of Father Mooney, the distinguished
Franciscan, already referred to. Indeed the very words are
his : —

** I will now furnish you with a few particulars which I think
deserve to be recorded. Let me therefore begin with Richard
Brady, Bishop of Ardagh, and afterwards of Kilmore, whosfr

^64 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

-virtues and sufferings should never be forgotten by tbe future
liistorian of our calamitous times.

" Tbat illustrious individual sprang from the noble house of
his name, which for many an age ruled with princely sway in
Breffny- O'Reilly. At a very early period of his life he dis-
tinguished himself as a jurist, for, indeed, he was profoundly
versed in the canon and civil law. Family influence and talents
such as his would, doubtless, have raised him to eminence had
he chosen a secular career ; but, caring little for the fame or
fortune which he might have won so easily in the senate or in
the fonim, he renounced the world, and took our poor habit in
the Convent of Cavan. His piety, learning, and prudence were
the theme of every tongue ; and although he never left Ireland
or sought for himself any dignity, the Supreme Pontiff pro-
moted him to the Bishopric of Ardagh, on the 23rd of January,
1576. Hesigning that diocese, he was translated to the See of
Kilmore, and held the office of Yice-Primate after the death of
Bajnnond O'G-allagher, Bishop of Berry, who was slain by the
English in 1601. It may not be superfluous to inform you that,
•during the vacancy of the See of Armagh, or the absence of its
Metropolitan, the office of Yice-Primate has, according to im-
memorial custom, devolved on the senior suffragan of the
province. Thus, O'GaUagher succeeded to that dignity when
Edmund M'Gauran fell in an action fought by M'Guire, Prince
of Fermanagh, against the troops commanded by Bingham,
President of Connaught; and when the Bishop of Kilmore
-departed this life, Cornelius O'Deveny, the martyred Bishop of
Down and Connor, fiUed the vacant place. I have deemed it
necessary to make these remarks lest such a venerable usage
should be forgotten. Now let me resimie my narrative of our
bishop's life. He dwelt constantly in Multifernan, and never
left it except on the business of his diocese, when he always
preferred such accommodation as he could find in some house of
cur Order, to the comforts and hospitality which he might have
received from the Catholic nobility and gentry. During his
residence among us, he invariably wore the habit, partook of
such fare as our poor refectory afforded, and never dined apart
from the common table of the friars, except when strangers
were entertained in the guest-house. His entire retinue con-
sisted of his confessor, chaplain, and two boys, who attended him
when saying Mass. I had frequent opportunities of witnessing
the austerities he practised, and can vouch that Franciscan never
lived who took greater delight in obeying the rigid ordinances
of our holy founder. Even when broken down by old age and
infirmities, he could not be induced to wear a coarse linen shirt;
^and despite all remonstrances of our friars, he rejected any little

APPENDIX. 365-

luxuries we could procure for him, graciously thanking those
who offered them, and saying, at the same time, that he had
chosen a life of mortification, and would die as he had lived.
He, as I have already told you, was arrested three times by the
English authorities, who, on two occasions, set him at large on
payment of a heavy fine ; but on the last, they tore the habit off
his aged person, and left him for dead in a thicket. Towards
the close of his days he resigned the See of Kilmore, and finally
departed this life, September, 1607. In compliance with his
wishes, we interred him in the usual burial place of friars, that
is to say, in the cloister, and right under the door leading to the-
church."

THE ANCIENT CROSS OF BANAGHER, KING S COUNTY.

The old Church of Banagher, King's County, was formerly
called Kill-Regnaighe, the modern name is Reynagh, and the
parish in which its ruins exist, is also called Reynagh. This
parish was situated in the ancient Diocese of Clonmacnoise, and
now belongs to Ardagh and Clonmacnoise. It never was
separated from the See of Clonmacnoise, although it was at times
governed by the Bishops of Meath and Killaloe. The church
and parish received their names in consequence of St. Reynagh,
otherwise Regnacia, Sister of St. Finnian, who resided at Clonard,
having founded a religious house here, over which she presided
as Abbess. St. Reynagh probably died about the same year as
her Brother Finnian, a.d. 563. The ruins of the Church of
KiU-Regnaighe stand nearly in the centre of the town of
Banagher (celebrated for its fairs and the old saying, "that bangs
Banagher ") and the enclosed space which encompasses them is
used as the parish cemetery.

In or about the year 1850, Thomas L. Cooke, Esq., C.E.,
who wrote a very interesting book entitled " The History of Birr
and its Neighbourhood," visited these old ruins for the purpose of
examining any interesting relics of antiquity which might present
themselves, and in his rambles through this cemetery found the
shaft of a once stately cross prostrate on the groimd, and almost
hidden from the eye, by grass and weeds. This cross had been
broken, and having found only one shaft, he made inquiries as
to what had been done with the other component parts, and
where they might be obtained. His inquiries were unsuccess-
ful. No person in Banagher or its neighbourhood knew anj'-
thing of the history of this ancient and interesting relic. Mr.
John Eahy was not then sufficiently advanced in age to know
anything of archaeology or antiquarian pursuits, else I
think Mr. Cooke would not have been unsuccessful in his

366 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

inquiries, or rather, most probably, would not have found this
cross at all, as I am pretty certain Mr. Fahy would have been
beforehand in rescuing it from oblivion and its fallen state. Be
this as it may, the only information that Mr. Oooke succeeded
in gathering at that time regarding it was, that this stone then
so uncared and unnoticed, had in more prosperous and happy
days stood erect beside a crystal spring, which once sent forth
its limpid waters in the old market square of Banagher, adjoin-
ing the churchyard. That spring has ceased to flow, and the
cross is no longer there.

Mr. Cooke pursued his inquiries, and could not find any
person in or about Banagher to explain to him the meaning of
the carving on the stone, or why or on what occasion it was
erected, or on what occasion it was pulled down. After some
years he learned a good deal about it, and the following is his
ovsm description of this very interesting antique : —

" It is formed out of that description of greyish-brown sand-
stone, which, when recently taken from the quarry, is so very
soft as almost to cut beneath the pressure of an ordinary knife;
but which becomes of adamantine hardness after being some-
time exposed to the atmosphere. The lower part of this cross-
shaft was broken off and has been lost. What remains is five
feet long, by one foot two inches in breadth at the top, and one
foot four inches at the bottom. The sculpture on it consists of
three compartments. On the uppermost of these we find a lion
passant, three tailed or guived, as a herald would express it.
A small hollow about the place of the lion's shoulder was abraded
into the stone when I saw it. This has since been greatly
enlarged.

"Beneath the lion I have mentioned, and in the same com-
partment with it, is the figure of a bishop on horseback, and
bearing his pastoral staff as emblematical of his sacred office.
The crosier is of that plain form which indicates antiquity.

" In the second compartment is a beast of the deer kind, and
which is proved by the character of its horns to be the red deer
{cervus eleimas), an animal now, I believe, nearly extinct in Ire-
land. The poor creature is portrayed as in great pain, its head
being thrown up in an attitude of anguish and distress, whilst
its off or foreleg is found to be entangled in something resem-
bling a trap. When I first beheld this stone the deer was quite
perfect, but it has been mutilated by reckless and savage hands
since that day.

"The lowest compartment consists of four naked and ill-pro-
portioned male human figures, arranged around the central point
of the compartment after the manner of spokes in a wheel.
Their legs are hooked together, and the left hand of each figure

APPENDIX. 367

grasps the hair of the figure immediately preceding it. Their
respective right hands hold the beard of the figure immediately
in the rere.

" The sides of the stone are ornamented with an interlaced
tracery, some of which resembles serpents. This tracery it
would be difficult, if not wholly impossible, to describe in words.
The character of it is that of similar ornaments found in various
carvings on stone of the tenth, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth
centuries.

" The most remarkable object on the back of the stone is some
sort of mythic combination shaped like an animal with a non-
descript head, but rudely resembling that of a hawk. The ears
seem to be represented by the heads of two serpents, whose
bodies are twined into trinodal and circular forms of curve. The
serpent, I need scarcely observe, was at all times acknowledged
an emblem in religious rites. I do not remember to have met
with anything like to this, excepting the figure on the brazen
talisman from Hindostan, which I forwarded for inspection of
the members of our useful society.

" The stone I am describing appears to have been part of a
sepulchral or commemorative cross, set up at Banagher Well,
to record the death of Bishop William O'Duffy, who died by a
fall from his horse, a d. 1297. I read in the original English
edition of Ware's ' Bishops,' published at Dublin, 1704, p. 29 :
' William O'Duffy, a minorite, after two years' vacancy, suc-
ceeded and was restored to the temporalities, Oct. 6th, 1290.
He was killed by a fall from his horse, in 1297.'

" Perpetuated on the stone, now being written of, is the record
of that fatal event, for on it is to be seen a Bishop on horseback.
He is without (it is worthy of remark), either stirrups or saddle.
Above his lordship is the lion, the hieroglyphic of strength
and power, being emblematic of the Bishop's character and
authority, before the unfortunate accident befel him. IS^ext to
this we find the red deer, taken in a trap and writhing in mortal
agony and distress. This is plainly symbolical of O'DufPy's
name and melancholy death. The Irish word '0A.TTi]:ei'6, pro-
nounced nearly as if written Davefeei, or Duffy, signifies a red
deer. A letter written to me by my learned friend, the excel-
lent Irish scholar, Professor Owen OonneUan, the 4th October,
1846, in answer to one from me, suggesting that the cross, of
which this stone was a portion, had been erected in memory of
Bishop O'Duffy's sudden death, runs as follows : ' Whether
the O'Duffy family derived their name from a person called
'04>.ifi]:ei-6, or from some celebrated hunter who might, from
that circumstance, have obtained the epithet, is very difficult
to determine ; ' and again, ' The stone which you describe is

368 APPENDIX.

very curious, and there is scarcely a doubt but that it refers-
to Bisbop O'DufEy, who fell from bis borse, as related in tbe
Annals of tbe Four Masters ; and I bave no hesitation in
agreeing witb you, tbat tbe sculptor meant tbe deer wbicli
appears on tbe stone to bave reference to tbe origin of tbe
family name.'

" It is manifest tbat tbe trap in wbicb tbe foot of tbe deer
appears to be entangled, is merely intended to record tbe
accident wbicb deprived Bisbop O'Duffy of bis life. Tbe words
of tbe Four Masters do not lead us to believe tbat bis deatb
was instantaneous, for tbey only say tbat be died in conse-
quence of tbe fall from bis borse.

"As to tbe carving on tbe lowest compartment, I own tbat I
can form no certain conjecture respecting its meaning. I bave
met tbe same symbolic representation only once elsewhere,
namely, on an exceedingly curious stone cover of a cofl&n, in
tbe ancient burial ground at Kil-Corban, Co. Galway, The
four human figures are certainly typical, and may bave been
intended to remind the beholder of never-resting time, or of
tbe succession of tbe four seasons of tbe year, ever going their
mystic round, in close communication, the one with the other —

• Thus to remain,
Amid the flux of many thousand years,
That oft have swept the toiling race of men,
And all their laboured monuments away.'

" On this change of tbe seasons, tbe poet from whom I have
just borrowed, has also sublimely written : —

' These, as they change, Almighty Father, these
Are but the varied God.'

" After the lapse of some years from tbe time I first had tbe
gratification of seeing the shaft of tbe Banagher Cross, I dis-
covered tbat it was going to destruction, owing to ill-usage. I
therefore obtained permission to have it removed from its
brutal and Gothic foes. It is now once more standing erect
and free from danger, in the enclosed gardens at the rere of
my residence in Parsonstown (Birr). The true arcbaeologisi;
would, of course, prefer to have it preserved in situ. He, never-
theless, will probably join me in opinion, that it is better it
should be preserved anywhere rather than not be preserved
at all."

Some time after Mr. Cooke wrote this description, the
Archaeological Society of Kilkenny obtained from him this old
cross, and their Secretary, the Rev. Mr. Graves, had it sent to

APPENDIX. 369

Clonmacnoise, where it now is. On the occasion of a visit to
that venerable ruin, in July, 1881, the Very Rev. Pius Devine,
of the Congregation of St. Paul of the Cross, called the writer's
attention to the shaft just referred to. It was then as it now
is, standing erect amongst some of the inscribed stones at Clon-
macnoise. Mr. Kieran MoUoy, who was showing us over the
ruins, knew nothing of its history, except that it was placed
there by the directions of Mr. Graves. Father Pius having
examined it, made some remarks, which led the compiler to
inquire still more regarding it, and his researches resulted in.
finding out that it is the old cross of Banagher. This is one
of my many pleasing recollections of that visit made on the
occasion of a mission given at Cloghan, King's County, in July,
1881, by the Rev. Fathers Pius Devine, Colomban O'Grady,
Eustace and Ildefonsus, the good effects of which are still
visible in the united parishes of Banagher and Cloghan.

THE GREAT CROSS OF CLONMACNOISE

Is called by most writers on this subject Cros-na-Sceaptra,
or the Cross of the Scriptures, under which name it is noticed
in the Annals of Tighernach, at the year 1060, in the following
words : " The Elians and the Hy-Focertei plundered Clonmac-
noise and carried away many captives from Cros-na-Sceaptra,
and slew two persons there, i.e., a student and another youth ;
but God and Ciaran incited the Delvins in pursuit of them ;
and they slaughtered them, together with the heir-apparent of
Hy-Focarta, for it was he that killed the student. Their cap-
tives also returned to them at rising time on the day following
to Cluain, through the miracles of Ciaran." This cross was
erected for two purposes, viz., as a memorial of the erection of
the Cathedral of Clonmacnoise, and as a sepulchral monument
of the Monarch Flann. The cathedral and it are coeval.
Both afford ample evidence that the Irish were experts in the
art of sculpture, in the beginning of the tenth century, and
were fully competent to apply it to architectural purposes.
The age of this cross and the object for which it was erected,
may be determined by the names of the Abbot Colman and of
the Monarch Flann, which are engraved upon it. The first of
these inscriptions occurs on a tablet, on the west front of the

25

370

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

cross, in the lowest compartment of tlie shaft. It is written in
Irish, of which the following is a correct translation : —

"A prayer for Flanu, son of Maelsechlainn."

The second inscription may be seen on a similar tablet, on
the east side of the cross, facing the western door of the church,
and occupying the lowest compartment of the shaft. The
following is an accurate translation of it : —

"A prayer for Colman, who made this cross ou the King Flann."

The saint and the king flourished in the first quarter of the
tenth century, and by their order the erection of this cross was
commenced. The first intention was that it should be a memorial
of the erection of the Cathedral only; but, its royal founder having
died before the completion of the cross, his grateful friend, the
Abbot Colman, who lived eight years after him, caused the cross
to be made a sepulchral monument also. The engravings on
the west side of the cross relate to the history of the original
foundation of Clonmacnoise by St. Kieran, and are intended,
most probably, to be a memorial of its great church to his
honour. The inscriptions on the other sides portray the chief
events in our Saviour's life, as recorded in the Scriptures.
Hence, the origin of the name of the Cross — the Cross of the
Scriptures. Of this remarkable cross, Dr. Ledwich gives the
following description : —

" The other ornamented cross is at Clonmacnoise. The
stone is fifteen feet high and stands near the western door of
TeampuU Mac Diarmuid. Over the northern door of this
church are three figures : the middle, St. Patrick, m pontifica-
Nbus ; the other two, St. Francis and St. Dominic, in the habits
of their Orders. Below these are portraits of the same three
saints and Odo, and on the fillet is this inscription : — ' Doms.
Odo Decanus Cluanm. fieri fecit.' Mr. Odo, Dean of Clon-
macnoise, caused this to be made. This inscription refers to
Dean Odo's re-edifying the church, and must have been about
the year 1280, when the Dominicans and Franciscans were
settled here and held in the highest esteem, as new Orders of
extraordinary holiness. The figures on this cross are comme
raorative of St. Kieran and this laudable act of the Dean. Its
eastern side, like the others, is divided into compartments. Its
centre, or head and arms, exhibit St. Kieran at full length,
being the patron of Clonmacnoise. In one hand he holds a
hammer and in the other a mallet, expressing his descent: his
fatlier being a carpenter. Near him are three men and a dog

APPENDIX. 371

■dancing, and in the arms are eight men more, and above the
saint is a portrait of Dean Odo. The men are the artificers
employed by Odo, who show their joy for the honour done
their patron. On the shaft are two men, one stripping the
other of his old garments, alluding to the new repairs. Under
these are two soldiers, with their swords ready to defend the
Church and religion. Next are Adam and Eve and the tree
of life, and beneath an imperfect Irish inscription. On the
pedestal are equestrian and chariot sports ; on the north side is
a pauper carrying a child, indicating the Christian virtue —
Charity. Below these a shepherd plays on his pipe, and under
him is an ecclesiastic sitting in a chair, holding a teacher's
ferula, on the top of which is an owl, the symbol of Wisdom,
and its end rests on a beast, denoting Ignorance. The other
sides are finely adorned with lozenge network, nebulae mould-
ings, roses and flowers.'"' — Antiquities of Irehuid, pp. 75, 76.

THE PRAYER OF ST. COLGA, OR COLCU, OR COLGAN.
PART FIRST.

1. I beseech the intercession with Thee, 0 holy Jesus, of
Thy four Evangelists, who wrote Thy divine Grospel — Matthew,
Mark, Luke, and John.

2. I beseech the intercession with Thee of thy four chief
Prophets, who foretold Thy Incarnation — Daniel and Jeremiah
and Isaiah and Ezechiel.

3. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the nine degrees
of the Church on earth, from the psalm- singer to the bishop.

4. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the elect who
have taken these degrees from the commencement of the New
Testament to this day, and who shall adopt them from this day
to the day of judgment.

5. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the nine degrees
of the Heavenly Church, viz. , Angels and Archangels, Yirtutes,
Potestates, Principatus, Dominationes, Throni, Hirophin, Saro-
phin.

6. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the noble Patri-
archs, who foretold Thee through the spiritual mysteries.

7. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the twelve minor
Prophets who figured thee.

8. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the Twelve

372 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Apostles, who loved and who desired and who adhered to and
who followed and who chose Thee before all others.

9. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all Thy sons of
pure virginity throughout the world, both of the Old Testament
and the New Testament, together with the youthful John, Thine
own bosom child.

10. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the repent-
ant saints ; with Peter the Apostle.

11. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the perfect
virgins of the world ; with the Virgin Mary, thine own Holy
Mother.

12. I beseech the intercession with Thee of aU the repentant
widows ; with Mary Magdalene.

13. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all righteously-
tempted persons ; with afflicted Job, who was visited with tribu-
lations.

14. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy
martyrs of the whole world, both of the Old Testament and of
the New Testament, from the beginning of the world to Eli and
Enoch, who shall suffer the last martyrdom on the brink of the

i'udgment: with Stephen, with Cornelius, with Cyprian, with
jawrence, with Georgius, with Germanus.

15. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy
monks who made battle for Thy sake throughout the whole
world ; with Elias and with Eliseus, in the Old Testament ;
with John, with Paul, with Anthony, in the New Testament.

16. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the chosen of
the Patriarchal Law; with Abel, with Seth, with Eli, with
Enoch, with Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob.

17. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the chosen
of the written law ; with Moses, with Jesu, with Calep, with
Aaron, with Eliazar, and with Jonas.

18. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the chosen of
the Law of the Prophets ; with Elias and with Eliseus, with
David, with Solomon.

19. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the chosen
of the Law of the New Testament, with thine own holy Apos-
tles, and with all the saints to the end of the world.

20. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy
bishops who founded the ecclesiastical city in Jerusalem ; with
Jacob of the knees, thine own holy brother.

21. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy
bishops who founded the ecclesiastical city in Rome ; with Linus,
with Cletus, with Clement.

22. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy
bishops who founded the ecclesiastical city in Alexandria ; with
Mark the evangelist.

APPENDIX. 373

23. I beseech the intercession vrith. Thee of all the holy
hishops who founded the ecclesiastical city after them ; with the
Apostle Peter.

24. I beseech the intercession with Thee of the holy Inno-
cents of the whole world who suffered crucifixion and martyr-
dom for Thee ; with the two thousand one hundred and forty
youths who were murdered l^y Herod in Bethlehem of Juda ;
with the boy Ciric.

25. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the hosts of
the perfect, righteous elders, who preached of Thee in their old
age, and their perfection, and their righteousness ; with Eligib
in the Old Testament, and with the noble, perfect, righteous
elder Simeon, at the beginning of the New Testament, who
caught Thee upon his wrists and upon his knees and upon his
arms, rejoicing over Thee, when He said: "Nunc dimittis
servum tuum Domine secundum verbum tuum in pace. Quia
viderunt oculi mei salutem tuam. Quod parasti antefaciem
omnium populorum lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam
plebis tuae Israel,"

26. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the holy dis-
'ciples, who learned all the spiritual knowledge, both of the Old
Testament and the New Testament, with the seventy-two dis-
ciples.

27. I beseech the intercession with Thee of all the perfect
teachers who preached the spiritual sense of the Scripture ; with
the seventy-two disciples themselves and with the Apostle Paul,
that Thou take me this night, 0 Holy Trinity, under thy protec-
tion and shelter, and with ardour to defend me and to protect me
from the demons with all their solicitations and from all the
■creatures of the world; from the desires, from the transgres-
sions, from the sins, from the disobediences, from the dangers of
this world, from the pains of the next, from the hands of ene-
mies and all dangers, from the fire of hell and eternity, from
disgrace before the face of God, from the pursuit of demons,
that they prevail naught with us in our passage to the other life,
from the dangers of the world, from every person whom God
knows to be unfriendly to us throughout the ten points of the
earth. May God put away from us their fury, their power, their
valour, their bravery, their cunning ; may God light up meek-
ness, and charity, gratitude, and mercy, and forgiveness in their
hearts and in their thoughts and in their souls and in their minds
and in their bowels.

374 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

PART SECOND.

1. 0 liolj^ Jesus.

0 Beautiful Friend.

0 Star of tlie Morning.

O Full Noonday Sun.

O Resplendent.

0 Noble Torch of the Righteous, and of the truth and of
the eternal life and of eternity.

0 Fountain ever new everlasting.

O Heart's love of the illustrious Patriarchs,

O Longing of the Prophets.

O Master of Apostles and Disciples.

0 Bestower of the Law.

O Precursor of the New Testament.

0 Judge of the Judgment Day.

O Son of the Merciful Father, without a Mother in
Heaven.

0 Son of the truly perfect Virgin Mary, without a Father
on Earth.

0 true brother of the Heart.

2. For the sake of thy consanguinity, hear the supplication
of this poor miserable being, that Thou receive the offering for
all Christian Churches and for myself.

3. For the sake of the Merciful Father, from whom Thou
didst come unto us upon earth.

4. For the sake of thy Divinity, which that Father modi-
fied so as to receive thy humanity.

5. For the sake of the Immaculate Body from which Thou
didst come (wert formed) in the womb of the Virgin.

6. For the sake of the Spirit with the seven forms, which
descended upon that body in unity with thyself and with thy
Father.

7. For the sake of the holy womb from which Thou didst
receive that body without destruction of virginity.

8. For the sake of the holy following, and the holy pedigree
from which that body descended, from the body of Adam to the
body of Mary.

9. For the sake of the seven things which were foretold of
Thee on earth ; namely, thy conception, thy birth, thy baptism,
thy crucifixion, thy burial, thy resurrection, thy ascension, thy
coming to the judgment.

10. For the sake of the holy tree upon which thy side was-
torn.

APPENDIX. 375

11. For the sake of the innocent blood which trickled upon
"US from that tree.

12. For the sake of thine own body and blood, which are
offered upon all the holy altars which are in all the Christian
Churches of the world.

13. For the sake of all the Scriptures in w^hich thy news is
recorded.

14. For the sake of all the truth in which thy resurrection
is recorded.

15. For the sake of thy charity, which the head and the top
of all the Testaments, ut dicitur caritas super exaltat omnia.

16. For the sake of thy royal kingdom, with all its rewards
and glorious gifts and music.

17. For the sake of thy mercy, and thy forgiveness, and thy
loving friendship, thy own bountifulness, which is more exten-
sive than all wealth, that I may obtain the forgiveness and the
annihilation of my past sins from the beginning of my life to
this day, after the words of David, who said : " Beati quorum
remissae sunt iniquitates et quorum tecta sunt peccata, id est :
dispense," and give and bestow thy holy grace and thy holy
s]3irit to defend and shelter me from all my present and future
sins and to light me up in all truth, and to retain me in that
truth to the end of my life, and that Thou receive me at the end
of my life into heaven, in the unity of illustrious patriarchs and
prophets, in the unity of Apostles and Disciples, in the unity of
Angels and Archangels, in the unity which excels all unities,
that is, in the unity of the bright, holy, all-powerful Trinity,
Father and Son and Holy Spirit ; for I can effect nothing un-
less I effect it in the language of the Apostle Paul, who said :
" Quis me liberavit a corpore mortis hujus peccati nisi gratia
tua Domine Jesu Christe qui regnas in secula seculorum.
Amen.

SYMON ECCLESI^ CLUANENSl IN EPISCOPUM PR^FICITUR.
CLEMENS EPISCOPUS, &C., &C.

Dilecto filio Symoni Electo Cluanensi, salutem, &c., &c.

Pastoralis offlicii debitum, etc. Dudimi siquidem bonae me-
moriae Henrico Episcopo Cluanensi regimini Cluanensis ecclesiae
presidente. Nos cupientes eidem Cluanensi ecclesiae, cum earn
quovis modo vacare contingeret, operationis nostrae ministerio
idoneam presidere personam provisionem ipsius ecclesie, cum
A'acaret, ordinationi et dispositioni nostrae ea vice duximus speci-
aliter reservandam, decernendo ex tunc irritum et inane, si secus
super his a quoquam quavis auctoritate scienter vel ignoranter

376 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

contingeret attemptari. Postmodum. vero prefata ecclesia per
obltum eiusdem Henrici, qui in patribua illis debitum naturae
persolvit, pastoris solatio destituta. Nos vacatione buiusmodi
fide dignis relatibus intellecta, ad provisionem ipsius ecclesiae
celerem et felicem, de qua nidlus praeter nos se bac vice intro-
mittere potest, reservatione et decreto obsistentibus supradictis,
ne prolixe vacationis exponeretur incommodis, paternis et
soU'citis studiis intendentes, post deliberationem, quam de
preficiendo eidem ecclesiae personam utilem et etiam fructu-
osam cum fratribus nostris babuimus diligentem, demum
ad te Priorem fratrum ordinis Predicatorum de Rossoman,
Elfinensis diocesis, in sacerdotium constitutum, cui de religi-
onis zelo, litterarum scientia, vite ac morum bonestate, et aliis,
virtutum meritis apud nos laudabilia, testimonia perbibentur,
direximus oculos nostrae mentis : quibus omnibus attenta medita-
tione pensatis, de persona tua ipsi Cluanensi ecclesiae de predic-
torum fratrum nostrorum consilio auctoritate apostolica provi-
demus, teque illi preficiraus in Episcopum et pastorem, curam
et administrationem ipsius tibi committendo etc. Datum Avi-
nione Y. Idus Maii. Pont, nostri anno septimo.

In e. m. Capitulo ecelesiae Cluanensis, Populo civitatis et
dioc Cluanensis, et Edwardo Regi Angliae.

LIST OF MONASTIC FOUNDATIONS IN THE DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

At tbe OLD Catbedral of Ardagb, Regular Canons were
established in tbe fiftb century and tbe Franciscan Friars in
tbe beginning of tbe fourteentb. We are told tbey were re-
formed by tbe Friars of strict observance in tbe year 1521.

Abbey Sbrule, situated near tbe river Inny, is in tbe Barony
of Sbrule, and was founded in tbe year 901. O'Ferrall founded
an abbey bere for Cistertian monks, but at wbat period we
cannot say. Its property was confiscated by Queen Elizabeth,
who granted it to one Robert Dillon and bis beirs, at tbe annual
rent of £10 14s. 4d.

Ballynesaggard, a Friary of tbe Third Order of St. Francis,
was erected here by the O'Ferrall family. We cannot fix tbe
period nor can we learn any particulars regarding this founda-
tion.

Clone, situated on tbe river Camlin, about two miles east of
Longford, was the seat of an abbey founded there, a.d. 663.
We cannot find any authentic particulars regarding it.

Clonebroney, situated between Granard and Edge worths-

APPENDIX. 377

town, was the seat of a yery ancient nunnery. It was founded
by St. Patrick, who placed over it the two Emarias, sisters of
St. Guasact, Bishop of Granard. It is said at the time of their
receiving the veil from St. Patrick they left the impression of
their feet in the stone on which they stood. St. Attracta was
Abbess here.

Abbey Deirg, situated in the Barony of Moydoe, was
founded for Regular Canons under the invocation of St. Peter,
in the reign of King John, by Gormgall O'Quin. This abbey
was suppressed in the reign of Elizabeth, and its property
granted to Nicholas Aylmor, Brendan Magodaig, Bishop of
Ardagh, was interred here in 1255.

Druimcheo, situated to the west of the mountain Slieu Bri-
leith, which separates it from Ardagh, was the seat of a nunnery
erected by St. Patrick for his sister, St. Lupita.

Inchmory, or the Great Island, situated in Lough Gowna
and Barony of Granard, possessed a monastery founded by St.
Columb, about the middle of the fifth century, for Canons
Regular. It was destroyed by the Danes in the year 804.
There is a stone on the island of Inchmore, Parish of Colomb-
kille, in which the saint is said to have left the impression of
his holy hard knees, and of his four fingers and one thumb.
It is possible that such marks were cut in stones to give stability
to a current legend. The impression of George the Fourth's
feet are now shown in a rock at the base of his little memorial
at Kingstown. These impressions were cut by the chisel of the
stonecutter.

Inisboffin is an island in Lough Ree, where St. Rioch,
nephew of St. Patrick and brother to St. Mel, founded an abbey
of which he himself was the first abbot. The period of his
death is unrecorded ; he was living in the year 530. This
abbey was plundered at three different periods by the Munster-
men. In 1089 it was destroyed by the Danes.

Inisclothran is another island in the same Lough. St.
Diarmid, called the Just, founded an abbey here about the year
540. He wrote some learned works, and is said to have been
an elegant poet. He was buried there, but the year is unre-
corded. His festival occurs on the 10th of January. This
abbey possessed celebrated scholars, poets, and historians. It
was plundered on several occasions by the Munstermen, and
was finally piUaged and destroyed by the Danes.

Island of all Saints is also situated in Lough Ree. St.
Kieran built a monastery there in the year 544, where he re-
mained for four years. Having appointed St. Domnan his
successor, he betook himself to Clonmacnoise. Sir Henry Dillon,
■who came into Ireland with John Earl of Morton, erected an

378

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

abbey on this island in the thirteenth century. Augustine-
McGraidin who wrote the lives of the Irish saints and the
annals of this abbey down to his own time — a work still pre-
served in the Bodleian Library at Oxford — died and was in-
terred here in the year 1405. In the reign of Elizabeth it was
suppressed and its possessions granted to Sir Patrick Barn wall.

Kilglass, situated to the south of Ardagh, was an ancient
nunnerj, being founded in the lifetime of St. Patrick. Its first
Abbess was St. Echea, sister to St. Mel. Further particulars
regarding this convent are unrecorded.

Killinmore is situated on Lough Gowna, Barony of Granard,
and was probably the Church of Killmore, founded by St.
Palladius, who flourished about the year 450.

Lerha was a monastery near Granard. For further par-
ticulars regarding this abbey, see essay on Granard.

Longford was the seat of an abbey, founded there by St.
Idus, one of St. Patrick's disciples. He was its first abbot.
His festival is celebrated on the 14th of July. O'Ferrall, Prince
of Annally, founded a monastery here for the friars of the
Order of St. Dominick, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, a.d.
1400. In the reign of Elizabeth it was suppressed and its
possessions granted to Sir Nicholas Malby and his heirs, at the
annual rent of sixteen shillings. In 1615 James I. granted this
monastery to Francis Viscount Valentia. The church of this
friary or a church built on its site is now used for Protestant
Service on Sundays.

Moydoe is situated three miles west of Ardagh, and gives
name to the Barony. This abbey was founded about the year
591, by St. Modan, called the Simple, who was its first abbot
and bishop.

St. Johnstown, situate in the Barony of Granard, was a
Franciscan Friary dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It was
probably situated in or near St. Johnstown.

In the Leitrim division of the diocese were the following
monastic institutions : —

Annaghduff, in the Barony of Leitrim, near Lough Boffin.
An abbey was erected here in the year 766. Particulars re-
garding it are unrecorded. It is now in the possession of the
Protestants and is used as their parish church.

Balleygiircy. In the year 1518 CorneKus O'Brien founded
a beautiful monastery here for Conventual Franciscans.
Further particulars regarding it are unrecorded.

Cloone. An abbey was foimded here by St. Froech, about
the year 570. Cloone is situated near the river Cloone, in the
Barony of Mohill, in the territory of Muntereoluis. This abbey
is now used by the Protestants as their parish church.

APPENDIX.

37»

Fenagh. An abbey was founded here in tbe sixth century
by St. Callin, who was its first bishop and abbot. It is said
that St. Callin went to Rome to learn wisdom and knowledge
which might afterwards be to the men of Ireland a precious
gem. He returned to Ireland with many precious relics, and
laboured to increase the honour and respect due to the Holy
See. He lived to an enormous age. He received the Sacra-
ment of Extreme Unction from St. Manchan. His body was.
interred with great honour and veneration in the cemetery of
Mochsemhog. His festival is observed on the 13th of November.
The remarkable and interesting work entitled The Book of
Fenagh, was compiled by him. He was, moreover, an accom-
plished poet in his day. The Book of Fenagh has been recently
translated into English, by D. H. Kelly, M.R.I.A., and care-
fully revised, indexed, and copiously annotated by W. M. Hen-
nessy, M.R.I.A. This old book, together with the shrine and
beU of the saint, passed to the hereditary comharbs of Fenagh,
or successors of Callin, who were the ancient and highlj'' re-
spected family of the O'Roddys, or Redahan. This place was
celebrated in former ages for its divinity school, and was the
general resort of students from every part of Europe. About
half a mile from the church is a well dedicated to St. Callin.

Creevlea, otherwise Ballyruark or Carrig Patrick, but now
commonly called Friarstown or Dromahare Abbey, is situated in
the Barony of Dromahaire, near the town of that name, on the river
Boonid, which falls into Lough Gill. It is an abbey in ruins.

A religious house was founded here for Franciscans of the
Strict Observance, a.d. 1508, by Margaret O'Brien, daughter of
Lord O'Brien and wife of Eugene Lord O'Ruark. She died in
1512 and was interred here. This building was never com-
pleted, although it is said Lord O'Ruark gave twenty cows for
its erection.

By an inquisition taken in the first year of the reign of'
King James, the last Abbot was found to be seized of one
caracate of land, and the Rectory of Krellen containing two
caracates of glebe land ; the Rectory of Clonlogher, one cara-
cate ; the Rectory of Drenleis, two caracates of glebe ; the
Rectory of Ballychinechain, four quarters ; and the Rectory of
Kilcrumena one caracate ; the Rectory of Lisamemis, four
quarters ; and the Rectory of Killifargen, four caracates and
all the tithes of the same, valued at forty shillings annually.

The walls of this abbey are stiU entire, and the altar is nearly
so. There are several curious figures inserted in the walls and
over some graves of the Murroghs, the Cornins — a very
ancient family — the O'Ruarks, «fee, &c. ; the gkeat O'Ruark
lies at full length on a tomb over the burial ground of his family^

•380 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

This building is of tlie same extent with the abbey of Sligo ;
but it is thought to be rather inferior in the execution. The
seal of this abbey was found about twenty years ago. A bishop
called ''Dr. Thadeus O'Rorke was buried here. Also Dr.
Bernard O'Eorke, Bishop. He was Bishop of Kilalla. Several
priests are also buried here, some of whom were called by the
honourable name of O'Borke. It is tolerably well cared since
the Board of Works got charge of it.

It is said amongst the people that it was for a long time
disputed whether the Parish of Kilanummery, in which it is
situated, belonged to the Diocese of Ardagh or Kilmore, and on
that account it was called the Church of Contention, but it is
more properly called the Church on the Bidge.

Jamestown. A Franciscan Friary was erected here to-
wards the end of the thirteenth century. It was the centre of
stirring and important events in the days of the Kilkenny
Confederation. Jamestown was formerly a borough sending
two members to the Irish Parliament.

Leitrim. An abbey was founded here at a very early period
by St. M. Leigus, Bishop of Liath-dromen. Although only a
village now, it must have been once a place of note, in that it
gives name to the barony and county.

Mohill. An abbey was built here by St. Manchan for
Canons Regular, about the year 608. It was dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin and was possessed of much landed territory. At
the suppression of monasteries its possessions were confiscated.

Athlone. A monastery for Conventual Franciscans was
foundedhere in 1240, by Charles O'Connor, Prince of Connaught.
He did not live to finish it. Sir Henry Dillon completed it and
was interred within its walls in 1244. There was also es-
tablished here a Dominican Convent on the site now occupied by
the Protestant parish church. The tower of the old Dominican
Church still remains and is situated near the Protestant edifice.
It was from that tower the signal was given for William's army
to cross the river, in 1691. It is said the bell rung on that
occasion is the same bell that is used to this day in calling the
Protestant congregation to their meetings. There is no other
remnant of the Dominicans in this town, whilst the Franciscans
are in a flourishing condition, spiritually and materially, owing
in a great measure to the indefatigable labours of the present
distinguished Guardian, the Very Rev. T. J. Bossitor. The
old Franciscan Friary was situated to the west of the Poor-
House, from which it is separated only by the Coosan Bead.

Clonmacnoise. Its history has been already given.

Gallen. This monastery was erected near the present town
of Ferbane, by St. Canoe, a roj'al pilgrim from Wales, in 492.

APPENDIX. 381

He was son of the King of the Britons and his mother was.
daughter of the King of the Saxons. Hence it was called
Gallen of the Britons. It was burnt on several occasions, but
was in existence when Colgan wrote his Acta, at which time it
belonged to the Regidar Canons of St. Augustine, and survived
down to the suppression of the monasteries. It was once a
celebrated university. Its possessions were very extensive.
The ruins of a fifteenth century church are still standing in the
demesne near the mansion occupied by T. B. Lauder, J.P.,
which is called even to this day the Priory, which was formerly
the Parochial residence of the parish of Cloghan and Banagher.
At that time the Brosna was its north-western boundary.

Lemanaghan. The history of this abbey has been already^
given in the essay on St. Manchan, his church and shrine.

Kilcolgan. This abbey is situated in the Parish of Ferbane^
and was founded hj St. Colgan in the year 580.

Peynagh. This convent was founded about the middle of
the sixth century by St. Reynagh, otherwise Pegnacia, sister ta
St. Finnian of Clonard. She was abbess here and died in 563.
Her mother Talacia succeeded her as abbess. The site of the
old church of Peynagh and its ruins may be seen in the present
town of Banagher, where it is situated. She is patroness of the^
parish which is called by her name. The present Convent at
Banagher is called St. Peynagh's, and is conducted by the
Sisters of S*® Union des Sacres Coeurs. It was established in
1862, by means of a bequest of £1,400, made by the late Miss
Fox, a pious and charitable lady who lived and died at
Banagher.

Tisaran signifies the house of Saran, i.e., tectum Saranis,
who was its founder in the sixth century, and gave to the parish
of Ferbane its ancient name. The old church of Saran lies in
ruins about the centre of Moystown demesne, to the west of the
river Brosna. The holy well of St, Saran is south-west of
Moystown House. Saran was sent from Clonmacnoise to found
his church near the Brosna. The following particulars copied
from the translation of the Clonmacnoise Registry, by MacFirbis,
may be interesting : — " The Church of Saran was called Killbeg
until the holy Cleark Saran did come in, who took for his part
thirty-eight dayes for rent to be payed thereout to Clonmacnoise,
and undertook to build a chiu'ch-house in the said church-yard,
which he called the House of Saran, and this was the rent he
was to pay during his own life, viz., a fatt hogg uppon ye feast
of St. Martin, and also to entertain all those of the Clanua
Neills as should have come for pilgrimage to Cluain uppon
every Good Friday, and that after the decease of Saran the said
house of Saran to remain with the Bishop of Cluain for ever^

382 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

and of those forty- eight dayes tlie Parish Priest was to have
ten dayes, and it was enjoyned to etery Parish Priest to pray
for St. Saran such as after would succeed the said church, and
that at the presence of every Mass and the solemnities thereof."
— Clarendon MSS., B. Museum, MacFirbis for Sir James Ware.

GrRANAPD, was remarkable for beef years ago.

(In 1608. Dec. 4th. Yol. 225-272.
S. P. Ireland, B.)

SIR FRANCIS SHAEN, GOVERNOR OF GRANARD, WROTE TO

SALISBURY, as follows : —

Complains of Mr. Patrick Foxe, acting against him in
his arrears in Longford. Offers certain explanations as to
the rent-beeves of Granard. Intends to sue for a Commission
to inquire into the state of the rents of Granard. — 4th Dec.
1608. P. 1. Signed. Add. Endd. Sealed.

(1610. January 27th. S. P., Ireland.
.585. Vol. 228, 13.)

JAMES o'fERRALL TO LORD SALISBURY.

Being come hither for causes concerning his estate, and
those of the rest of the gentlemen and poor inhabitants of
Longford, against Sir Francis Shaen, and the heirs and exe-
cutors of Sir Nicholas Malby, lately deceased, and having been
impeded in his proceedings by some defect in the letter of
Attorney given him by these gentlemen, is driven to insinuate his
cause to his Lordship's favour ; that he may call to remembrance
the letters of the Deputy and Council, in behalf of the said poor
county ; and the good reports of his father and of himself, pre-
sented by the Lord Chancellor, both of their great losses and
services, for which he begs him to afford some regard of his
petition. The rather that he will give sufl&cient security to the
said Sir Francis for the forty marks advanced him by the Com-
missioners, in consideration of the delay. — 27th January, 1609.
P. 1. Signed. Add. Endd. Encloses.

APPENDIX. 383

<S. p., Ireland. 586. Vol. 228, 14.)

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF JAMES o'fERRALL.

Sheweth, that the Commissioners for Irish Causes have
certified to the Lords of the Privy Council, in the controversy-
depending between the inhabitants of the County of Longford
and Sir Francis Shane, Knt., concerning 120 rent-beeves,
challenged to be due, issuing out of the Manor of Granard, as
may appear by their certificates, whereas heretofore the inhabi-
tants never paid more than £36 Irish, per annum. Petitioner,
thinks himself and the inhabitants rather charged and bur-
thened than eased and relieved ; in respect, they have already
paid £-100 sterling for arrearages, and yet are not acquitted of
£600, being the rest of the arrearages by him challenged, and
in respect that beeves are overrated, and in regard there is as
much of the land out of which the said rent was issuing, come
to the King's hands, by the attainder of the tenants thereof, as
yields £23 sterling, per annum ; and that Sir Francis has been
possessed, during the last rebellion, and is yet possessed of the
demesnes of Granard, which heretofore, had been in the posses-
sion of the said inhabitants, and out of which the said rent was
principally issuing.

Praj's, that the King may be pleased to discharge the
inhabitants of the arrearages incurred during the waste and
depopulation of the county, and to accept for them as much rent
out of the said manor as Sir Francis pays, and thereby draw
the dependency of the inhabitants to him, as it has formerly
been ; the rather because the Deputy and Council of Ireland
had, by several letters, certified their opinion to be accordingly,
and because the King may give Sir Francis some other satis-
faction in lieu thereof.

Prays, that the controversy depending between the inhabi-
tants and the heirs and executors of Sir JSTicholas Malby, may
be speedily despatched, and that they may be discharged of the
arrearages and growing rents ; yielding to the King as much
as is yielded out of any plough land of lilce survey, chargeable
to the King in Ireland.

<1610. March 19th. Philad. p.
Vol. III. p. 454).

LORDS OF THE COUNCIL TO SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER.

To make stay of any presentation to the Vicarage of

384 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

Qranard, tlie Vicarage being now vacant by the death, of the-
Incumbent, until the grant of the Abbey of Granard is per-
fected to Sir Francis Shane, notwithstanding same raised by
the O'Farrells against Sir Francis Shane. — WTiitehall, 19t/i
March, 1609.

(Signed),

R. Salisbury, Gilb. Shrewsbury.

(May 16th, 1609. S. P. Ireland.
Vol. 226, 74. A.)

SIR FRANCIS SHANE TO SALISBURY.

Has been long a suitor for grants, according to the King's
letters ; and also for the £1,000 arrear of the £1,700 rent-
beeves of Granard. Renews his suit.

DubUn.

LETTER CONTAINING CARDINAL CULLEN S VIEWS REGARDING THE
APPOINTMENT OF AN ENGLISH AMBASSADOR, AT THE COURT OF'
ROME, TO TRANSACT IRISH ECCLESIASTICAL BUSINESS.

Tivoli, nth Oct 1844.

My Lord,

I am sure we will have plenty of intrigues here
next winter, and God grant they may not succeed. The Pope
has right notions and takes a just view upon all these subjects ;
but there are many in Rome who think it would be admirable
to have an English Ambassador here, and to allow him a good
deal of authority in managing the ecclesiastical affairs of
Ireland. I one day met a French Abbe here, and he ex-
claimed, with great enthusiasm, that everything would now
soon be right for the Catholics; that we were to have an
English Ambassador in Rome. Many others participate in the
f eeKngs of the Frenchman ; but, if we get an Ambassador here,
his only business will be to intrigue, and he will have plenty of
room to do so in Rome. Some wiU think it a great honour to be

APPENDIX. 385

invited to a soiree by an Euglisli nobleman. Much mischief
may be done, but God, who has preserved Ireland up to the
present, will, I trust, keep His protecting hand still on her.
After the repeal of the Penal Laws in England, I suppose the
Pope cannot refuse an ambassador, and I dare say the present
Ministry will not fail to send one. If the Bishops in Ireland
were united, his influence would be counteracted ; but if we be
divided at home, we shall fall an easy prey to our enemies. It
would be well that these matters were discussed at the meeting
of the Bishops.

Your obedient servant,

Paul Cullen.

Right Rev. Dr. O'Higgins, &c., &c.

BaUymaho)}, March l^h, 1838.

My dear Doctor Cullen,

This day's post brings to me your much valued
letter of the 22nd February, and that of the 20th January also
reached me in due time. Nothing can be more consoling to
me than to receive such proofs of the Pope's feelings in my
regard, as he condescendingly gives in this letter, which you
have forwarded. May God long preserve his sacred person for
the protection and furtherance of our holy religion.

At our last meeting I had the honoiir of bringing before
the prelates almost all the topics which formed the object of
our deliberations. The chief of those topics were : the present
system of National Education, the contemplated Poor Laws,
combination among the lower classes, and the Belgian ques-
tion. On the principles and operations of the Education
System there was a difference of opinion ; but I succeeded in
putting the whole of the bishops on the alert, and produced
such proofs as convinced all that, unless well watched, the edu-
cation, as now carried on, was likely to undermine the authority
of the Catholic clergy, and ultimately to introduce either posi-
tive errors, or " IndifEerentism."

As to the Poor Laws, the prelates were also divided. For
my own part, I look upon that measure as a daring conspiracy
of the landlords against the poor of Ireland, tending to degrade
and demoralise the people, and to withdraw them from the just
influence of the clergy, whilst it affords them almost no bodily
relief. On the subject of Combination we would have published
a joint Pastoral, but that we feared the Tories of England

26

386 DIOCESE OF AT^DAGH.

might use sucli a document against Lord Mulgrave's Govern
ment, by putting it forth, as an evidence that, so far from
being tranquil, Ireland was, on our own showing, universally-
disturbed.

You will best understand what I have been able to do on
the Belgian question, by looking to the " Eesolution," whicb
you will find on the opposite page. The sum to which that
resolution refers amounts to about four thousand francs. As to
the removal of the funds from Belgiimi to Rome, sucb a mea-
sure was deemed impracticable ; and, though it could be effected,
the bishops most interested seemed unwilling that it should be
carried. I assure you very sincerely that, in procuring for the
use of your college the 4,000 francs just mentioned, I felt it
necessary to exert very strenuously whatever little powers I
could command. I must, however, say, in justice to the bishops,
they unanimously concurred in the warmest approval — indeed,
I may say — admiration of your conduct, and a resolution to
that effect was proposed and carried.

Dr. Smith was consecrated in Trinidad, by Dr. MacDonnell,
assisted by two priests. He comes here to his native diocese
in May, and proposes staying nearly a year in Ireland. When
he arrives, I shall not fail to give him some useful advice in
the sense you have suggested. Now that Dr. Carew is ap-
pointed to Madras, our friend, Mr. O'Reilly, has no excuse.
Will he come, &c., &c., &c. . . .

With best good wishes for Messrs. Kirby and O'Reilly,
I remain, my dear Dr. CuUen,

Ever sincerely and affectionately yours,

»^ Wm. HlGGINS.

Yery Rev. Dr. Cullen.

" Moved by the Right Rev. Dr. Higgins, and agreed to
unanimously :

" That the Most Rev. Dr. Murray be requested to forward,
in the name of the Irish Prelates, legal powers to the Pope's
Internuncio in Belgium, enabling his Excellency to receive the
sums now in the hands of the Receiver- General to the funds
of the old Irish College in Faurnai ; and that his Excellency be
prayed to transmit further the said sum to the Rector of the
Irish College at Rome, for the general use of that estabKsh-
ment."

ArPENDix. 387

THE FAMi:>^E IN 1848.

In a letter addressed by Dr. O'Higgins to Dr. Cullen, at
"that time Kector of the Irish College, Rome, and dated from
Balljmahon, 19th May, 1847 ; amongst other important matters,
the Bishop referred to the famine then decimating Ardagh.
The following extract is from the letter : —

" Of course, you have some idea from the papers of the
state of the poor of Ireland. Never was any part of the globe
visited with so prostrating destitution. It would sicken your
heart to see those of our people who, up to this, have escaped
death. Persons of twenty years of age appear to be bending
under old age, and, in many instances, are become shameless
and idiotic from want of every kind.

This Diocese is composed of portions of seven counties :
Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, King's County, Cavan,
and County Meath. We thus, of necessity, participate most
deeply in all the wretchedness of the country. All our pro-
prietors, with scarcely any exception, are absentees ; and our
condition is truly forlorn. We have in this Diocese five 2ioor
houses, and the average deaths in the week are beyond 100
persons in each. In some instances, particularly in Leitrim,
whole families are discovered to be dead in their cabins, by the
stench that proceeds from their putrid bodies ! The dead are
irequently buried in bogs, cabbage plots, and even in the
houses where they die ! The most part of the land of Leitrim
wiU be untilled this year, and the Catholics will, I fear, before
long, have nearly all disappeared from death or emigration.
The clergy must soon be as wretched as the people, I go about
through the most destitute districts on Sundays, and sometimes
in two chapels on the same day, preaching resignation to the
wiU of God, and giving what other consolation I can ; and in
my endeavours I am assisted by the priests who, without excep-
tion, have identified themselves with their flocks. Fever,
dysentry, and starvation are everywhere. God alone can
■see the end.

Yours, e^c,

1^ Wm. Higgixs.
Very Rev. Dr. Cullen.

388 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

PILGRIMAGE OF THE HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY^
DUBLIN, TO CLONMACNOISE.

In years to come it will probably be interesting to many to
read of the first visit of this Society to the '* Seven Churches,"
King's County. On this account, a brief record of that event
is given here : —

On Sunday, the 8th August, 1886, the members of the His-
torical and Antiquarian Society left Broadstone, DubKn, by a
special train, at half-past seven, a.m., and arriving in Athlone,
proceeded to one of the churches to hear Holy Mass. The train
by which the members travelled was crowded with passengers.
The steamer Ida conveyed them from Athlone to Clonmac-
noise ; and on arriving at the latter place they were greeted by
the cheers of a vast multitude, numbering about eight thousand
persons, who anxiously awaited their coming. Amongst this
vast assembly were representatives of the Town Commissioners-
of Athlone, Ballinasloe, and Birr. Many came also from Clara,.
Longford, Mullingar, Moate, Tullamore, Cloghan, Banagher,.
and Ferbane, attracted mainly thither by the veneration attached
to the old and sacred ruins of the " Seven Churches."

Amongst the many present on that memorable occasion, the
local papers published the following names : —

Rev. Canon Monahan, P.P., Cloghan; Rev. J. Madden, P.P., Lusmagh j
Rev. T. O'Reilly, P.P., Shanuonbridge ; Rev. H. Finneran, P.P., Moore ; Rev.
Dr. Lanagau, Banagher ; Rev. Father Corcoran, Rev. Father Redehan, CO.,
Ballmahown; Rev. Father Kelly, do.; Rev. P. Madden, C.C, Eyrecourt ;
Rev. Dr. Gaffiney, Clara ; Rev. Father Minogue, do. ; Rev. Father Plunkett,
Ballmahown ; Rev. Father Whately, O.D.C. ; Rev. Father Davis, O.D C. ; Rev,
Father O'Rorke, Cloghan ; Rev. Father O'Reilly, do. ; Messrs. M. Harris, M.P. ;
James Kilmartin, Thomas Byrne, John Callanan, James Goode, Patrick
Goode, G. G. Bowler, Patrick Greene, Bernard Healy, Daniel MuUin, ^Michael
Hannon, Patrick Corbett, Michael Ryan, T. D%vyer, John Healy, T. Kenny,
T. J. Manning, D. Tierney, R. F. Walker, J. Lyuam, P. Keogh and the Misses
Keogh, E. P. Daly, P. J. Foy, J. Kilkelly, Wm. Kilroe, M. Reddy. John
Adams, Denis O'Connor, P. O'Flynn, Joseph Greene, Thomas Kilroe, Thomas
E. Hibbitts, Thomas Churcher, Thomas Brock, Henry Costello, W. Kilroe,
Hon. Ed. BroMTie, Judge, City Courts, New York ; P. King Joyce, B.A. ;
James Nevin, Timothy Kileen, J. Croke, Inland Revenue ; J. J. Hurley, J.
Deering, T. P. Coyne, Kieran MoUoy, E. Treacy, C.T.C. ; Wm. Dooley,
J. Browne, T.C. ; J. P. Smyth, Hugh J. Bergin, J. MTntyre, J. Fallon,
M. Keimy, J. Wilson, W. Hannin, J. Hannan, J.P. ; J. Devery, D. Dorley,
J. Deehan, Peter Kennedy, J. P., Ingersoll, Canada; Samuel Cole, John
Devery, Jas. Doorly, Patrick Doorly, Martin Lestrange, Daniel Lestrange,
James Deehan, Michael Garahy, &c.

Messrs. Kilroe, Molloy, and Eeddy, on behalf of the Local

APPENDIX. 389

15rancli of the National League, presented an Address to
Mr. J, P. O'Byrne, who appropriately responded to same.

On the motion of Mr. Thomas Byrne, seconded by Mr.
Peter Keogh, the chair was taken, amidst loud applause, by
the Kev. Canon Monahan.

The Rev. Canon Monahan said : — Mr. President of the His-
torical and Antiquarian Society of Ireland and gentlemen, I
thank you, in the first place, for the distinguished honour you
have conferred on me by asking me to preside as chairman on
this interesting and important occasion ; and, in the second
place, I desire, on the part of the many visitors here assembled
from the barony of Garrycastle and its neighbourhood, and on
my own part also, to tender to you, the members of the Histo-
rical Society, our most cordial greetings. The main object of
your visit to these ruins is to promote the study and cultivation
of the ancient history and literature of our dear native land, its
records and its monuments. By worthily and efficaciously
doing so, you yourselves are, doubtless, making contemporaneous
history. Right fittingly, then, have you chosen Clonmacnoise
as the place for this day's pilgrimage ; for I can affirm, without
exaggeration, that there is not a more interesting spot in
Ireland. What did the great George Petrie, author of that
•admirable book on the Round Towers, say of it ? "V^^riting on
the 13th January, 1838, to his dear friend, John O'Donovan,
editor of the Four Masters, he used the following words : —
" I wish I were along with you groping among the inscribed
tombs of the kings and saints of Ireland at Clonmacnoise, the
most interesting spot in the British Empire." Yes, it is, and
ever should be, to the student of the full history of Ireland, an
object of the deepest interest. For what is Conmacnoise ? It
is an entombed city, of greater and more deserving fame, in
some respects, than Pompeii or Baiise — cities buried more than
1800 years ago by an eruption from Mount Vesuvius, near
Naples — cities which all European travellers feel bound to go
and see in their present excavated condition. "What is Clon-
macnoise ? It is the remains of ruined temples, fallen thrones,
and broken sceptres (applause). Look around and what do you
behold ? The ruins of a cathedral, eight or nine churches, and
an hospital raised by the munificence of kings and chieftains —
nay more, in some instances, by the hands of the kings and
chieftains themselves, who personally assisted the tradesmen in
their erection. Look away down before you and what do you
behold ? The remains of the church of the nunnery, built or
repaired, in 1167, by Devorgilla, the unfaithful wife of Tiernan
"O'Rourke — a lady who was the immediate occasion of the pos-

390

DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

session of this country by the English. Magdalen-like, she-
afterwards did penance for her sins and died a holy death in a
convent at Drogheda, I am glad to be able to say. Look
around and what do you behold ? Yonder on that green fort,
the remains of a castle built by the EngKsh, under De Lacy, in
1214, and now leaning over and presenting a pUe of huge masses
of dangerously-inclining stonework. Perhaps in its present
tumbling shape it is emblematic of their bad laws and worse
administration, together with the evil influences on which they"
rested so many gloomy years, but now tottering and falling fast,
let us hope, to rise no more (cheers). At all events it can
scarcely fail to remind those who have visited Pisa, in Italy, of
the leaning tower in that old city. Look aroimd and what do
you behold? Celtic crosses and inscribed stones over which
some of the most cultivated minds and eyes in Great Britain
loved to dwell and declare the most perfect specimens of their class
of art to be had from those days, in which they were fashioned
by the hand of the sculptor. Look around and what do you
behold ? Grass-covered foimdations of schools and a University
once amongst the most famous in Europe and having no
superior in our own land — a University that provided for the
material as well as the intellectual wants of over 3,000 stu-
dents daily — students collected from every part of Europe,
who came here, were kept for the term of their university
training, and then, like the Trojan horse, sent out equipped in
all the virtues necessary for the proper discharge of the duties
belonging to their different careers in life — a University in
which were written the most valuable manuscripts and books
now extant on Irish affairs. Here were composed the Annals
of Clonmacnoise, the Cronicon Scotormn, the Registry of Clon-
macnoise, the Annals of Tigernach, which are the fountains of
our Irish historical learning. Indeed, the Four Masters are-
only an enlarged edition of these manuscripts, which are care-
fully preserved in the Bodleian and British Museum Libraries —
a University, in fine, that most probably gave a Rector to the
Palatine University, established at Pisa by King Charlemagne,
for the revival of letters in his kingdom. The Rector of that
University was the most distinguished scholar in Europe in the
eighth centurj^. He received his University training here at
Clonmacnoise from its then Rector, Blessed Colgan the Wise.
His scholar afterwards, the famous Alcuin of Charlemagne's
University, lectured daily to a crowd of bishops, nobles, cour-
tiers, and others, who, in that Palatine School learned to hold
the harp with Orpheus, and the rule with Archimedes ; to per-
ceive with Pythagoras ; to explain with Plato ; to imply with
Aristotle ; to rage with Demosthenes ; to persuade with Cicero,,

APPENDIX.

391

and to sing sacred music in a manner almost divine — like
choirs of angels. Charlemagne sent royal gifts to Rector Colgan.
of Clonmacnoise, because he had trained so distinguished a
scholar for him. Look around you, I say, and behold if you
can the grass-clad foundations of so famous a University ; you
cannot. They are gone, with the woods that once crowned
these hills now so bare. Look around once more, and what do
you behold ? At your feet the kings of three provinces, and
amongst them one of the monarchs of Ireland, Tordelvac
O'Connor, laid to rest here in 1155, and with him Roderick
O'Connor in 1198, beside the high altar in the cathedral. The
chieftains, petty princes, and warriors, who during life were
engaged in almost iminterrupted conflicts, are here also, lying
peaceably together in their silent graves close to the archbishops,
bishops, abbots, saints, and scholars who lived, flourished, and
died here. Each and all of them, by their united efforts, made
Clonmacnoise what it was, and what it must ever be regarded,
viz., one of the chief centres of sanctity and learning in ancient
Ireland. And now standing over their ashes we behold erect,
and casting their shadows over this city of the dead, just as
they did centuries ago, when they themselves beheld them with
the eyes of their flesh, these two round towers — grand old pillar
towers of Ireland — these conquerors of time.

" Beside the church the lofty tower
Like a guardian spirit there,
It has stood through long, long ages,
Braving shock of earth and air."

And we behold also over their graves, standing as of yore,
the old Celtic Cross of the Scriptures, now aged almost 900
years. I said Clonmacnoise was the result of their united efforts.
It was so, indeed. The first pole of the first church was erected
here by the joined hands of King Diarmid and St. liieran. These
circumstances can scarcely fail to be interesting to those who
have not read them. At the time St. Kieran came down from
the Island of All Saints in Loughree and landed here with his
disciples, to lay the foundation of his little church, Diarmid, a
powerful prince and pretender to the throne of Meath and
monarchy of Ireland, happened to be living in exile in these
parts. He and his few faithful followers passed their days and
nights on this river. Their wants were supplied by the hospi-
tality of the people then li\dng at both sides of it. St. Kieran
and his disciples were observed by the exiled prince coming
down from Athlone, and seeing them planting a pole on this
Hill of "Wells, Diarmid at once landed with his men ; and ap-
proached the saint saying : " What work is about being done ? "

392 DIOCESE OF ARDAGH.

" The erecting of a small cliurcli," said the saint. " Well,
indeed, may that be its name," said Diarmid ; " Eglais Beg or
Little Church." "Plant the pole with me," said the saint,
" and let my hand be above your hand on it, and your hand and
your sovereign swaj^ shall be over the men of Erin before long."
" How can that be," said Diarmid, " since Tuathal is Monarch
of Erin, and I am exiled? " " God is powerful for that," said
St. Kieran. They then set up the pole, and Diamiid made an
offering of the place to God and St. Kieran. Soon after the
reigning monarch of Ireland died, and Diarmid was called to
succeed him. In this new and exalted position he continued
his friendship and increased his gifts to this monastery of his
love in the days of his exile. It advanced slowly in years, but
rapidlj^ in buildings, fame, and wealth. Being favoured by God,
kings, princes, and people, more than half of Ireland soon
became subject to its jurisdiction, and paid tribute to it. Such
was Clonmacnoise until the arrival of the foreigner. The
foreign invader having come and firmly fixed his foot in this
land rudely changed the history of this monastic establishment.
Henceforth its history is, with few interruptions, a record of
burnings and plunderings. Archdall tells us, in his Monasticon
Siheniicon, that Clonmacnoise was burned and plundered forty-
nine times. A writer of some authority told us not long ago, that
there came to us from England, since the Union, as many Coer-
cion Acts as there are years in this century. Akin to this fact
is the number of burnings of houses and property, books, vest-
ments, chalices, and other valuable objects at Clonmacnoise by
Danes and Anglo-Normans. The last of these burnings, I
regret to have to add, was committed by the garrison of Athlone
in the year 1552. Archdall states that " the English soldiers of
Athlone did in that year rob and miserably spoil the town and
Abbey of Clonmacnoise, not sparing even the church, books,
furniture, vestments, or other appendages of the sacred altar.
They left it in ruins " : —

"Life and thought they drove away,
Side by side.
Leaving door and windows wide,
Careless tenants they."

We may represent to ourselves the expelled monks of those
days expressing their regrets to one another as they left their
Alraa Mater, with sorrowing hearts, in some such words as the
following : —

" Come away for Life and Thought,
Here no longer dwell,
But in a city glorious —
A great and distant city — have bought
A mansion incorruptible,
Oh. would they could have stayed with us."

APPENDIX. 393

This sacred place has from those days to the present re-
mained a ruin. The surviving relatives of the kings, princes,
chieftains, and other great families who built mortuary chapels
here, and established perpetual Masses for themselves and their
posterity, were and are deprived by the law of all these rights.
It is unlawful, as the law now is, to roof any of these churches
by public or private subscription, even by those whose ancestors
built them. This is a grievance for the removal of which the
Catholics of Ireland, especially the upper classes, should
strongly agitate as well as for their other grievances. In
conclusion I will add, that this sacred place is one of the few
valuable inheritances that have come down to us from the past
(applause). It is like an heirloom in a family. It is a relic of
our former greatness. It should be to us as a most highly-prized
painting of a dear departed friend. It should be as the title
deeds to a great estate of which we have been wrongfully de-
prived, and to which we expect one day to come back as
rightful owners. As such we should carefully look after it.
I now conclude with a quotation from Dr. Johnson, written by
him a centurj'- ago, amidst the ruins of lona, in the Hebrides,
Scotland. He said, " Far from me and from my friends be
such frigid philosophy as may conduct us indifferent and
unmoved over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom,
braverj^, or virtue. That man is little to be envied whose
patriotism would not gain force on the plain of Marathon, and
whose piety would not grow warmer amidst the ruins of lona."
This beautiful sentence may thus be paraphrased. " I pity the
Irishman whose patriotism is not increased by reading the brave
deeds of his ancestors on the plains of Clontarf or the hills near
Aughrim, and whose piety does not become more fervent and
practical by a visit to the ruins of Clonmacnoise " (cheers).

The President, Mr. O'Byrne, delivered a most able and
instructive historical address, suitable to the occasion, and
breathing throughout a truly noble. Catholic, and Celtic spirit.
It was greatly and justly admired.

On the motion of the Rev. James Madden, P.P., Lusmagh,
a warm vote of thanks was accorded the Eev. Chairman, and
the proceedings then terminated.

The spectacle of that day will long be remembered by those
who witnessed it.

INDEX.

Ardagh— See of— Its founder— St. Patrick— Its first Bishop, St. Mel, who
was Abbot also— Signification of the word Mel — His Cathedral— when
founded . . . • • • 1

Its ruins — St. Mel and St. Brigid — He performed the ceremony of her
profession at Ardagh — MacCailli assisted him . . 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Modern Cathedral of Ardagh— Its founder, Dr. O'Higgias — Completed
byDr. Kilduff . . . . . -6

Description of, by Canon O'Hanlon . . . -7

Ancient boundaries of Ardagh . . . ■ • .8

Present boundaries . . . . . ■ "

As a Missionary Diocese . . . . •

Successors of St. Mel, St. Melchuo, St.Erard— his brothers Albert and
Hidulph— Went to Germany— Died at Ratisbon— Canonized by
Leo IX.
Visit to Rome — his country— bis diocese— the age in which he flourished

^ ^ 11, 12, 13

334

10

dagh — Its Monastic Foundations
Faelgus, Bishop

376, 377

13

Ceili

13

Macreit O'Moran, present at Synod

of Ke'lls

13

Christian O'Hetai .

13

O'Kirlenan, or O'Tirlenan

13

O'Hislenan

.

13

Adam O'Murredai

13

Robert, previously Abbot, St. Mary

s Abbey, Dublin

13

Simon M'Grath

.

14

Joseph Magoday

14

Jocelain O'Formaigh, or O'Formay

14

Brendan Magoday

.

14

Milo of Dunstable .

.

14

Matthew O'Heothy .

.

14

Alexander

.

14

John Mageoi
Owen O'Ferral

14

.

14

William M'Cawsee or M'Cormac

15

Charles O'Ferral

15

Henry Nony

15

Gilbert MacBrady .

.

15

Adam Lyns

.

15

Cornelius O'Ferral

15

Richard O'Ferrall

.

15

Cormack O'Farrell .

15

Donald O'Ferrall

.

Ifr

William O'Ferrall .

16

He was Dynast also — and Abbot o

f St. Mary's, Granard.

Thomas O'Cong-alan

16

Owen O'Congalan

.

1&

Eoderick O'Malone — Henry VIII. 'a interference in his behalf — Held

his Canonry of Clonmacnoise

. 17

Patrick MacMahon ....

. 23

Richard Fern 11 .

. 23

Eichard Brady .....

. 24

Edmund MacGauran ....

. 24

John Gaifney, Vicar- Apostolic — Brief of his appointment

24,25

Francis Ferrall, Yicar-Apostolic— Recommended to the Pope, by

the

Emperor Ferdinand — His appointment not certain

. 26

Cornelius Gaffney, Synod of Killoe, to which he was Secretary

. 27

Oliver Darcy, Vicar- Apostolic

. 34

Patrick Plunket, consecrated 200 priests

. 34

Gerald Ferral, Vicar- Apostolic — Letter of

. 34

Gregory Fallon

. 37

Charles ]'iernan, Vicar- Apostolic

. 37

Bernard Donogher, Vicar- Apostolic

. 37

Ambrose O'Connor ....

. 37

Thomas Moran ....

. 37

Thomas Jrlynn, interred in Cloone

. 37

CJlonmacnoise

38, 39, 40,

41, 42, 43

Its position — Xame— Founder — Ruins

.

. 39

Its nrst Church— St. Kieran's, " of wood "

55, 56, 57,

58, 59, 60

The Cathedral

. 64

Temple Ri, or O'Meleghlinis .

. 65

Temple Kelly

. 65

Temple Kieran

. 65

Temple Dowling, or Hurpan .

. 65

Temple Finnian

. 65

Finnian's Well

. 65

O'Rorke's Tower and Temple Conor

66,68

De Lacy's Castle

. 69

Petrie's opinions

. 67

Church of the Nunnery, Causeway — Garden

. 69

Petrie's letter

. 70

Its great Cross

368, 369

Its celebrated school and scholars and books

73, 74, 75

Its Chapter

. 78

V\'hen divided from Meath and where

9

Deanery of ...

. 127

As a Suffragan See

. 128

Its Bishops— St. Ciaran

. 79

Mac Ua Laighaise

. 80

St. Macnise

. 81

St. Alither

. 81

St. Tolua Fota

. 81

St. Colman INIacBardan

. 81

St. Cronan Mac Ua Loeghde

. 81

St. Aedh-Lugh

. 81

Eaeden Mac Ua Cormaic

. 82

Colman Cas

. 82

Cummine ....

. 82

Colman ....

. 83

Forcron ....

. 83

Cronan Beg

. 83

•Oissene ....

. 83

Failbre Beg, or Little

. 84

St. Cuindles

. 84

Flann Sinna Ua CoUa

. 84

Conamhail Ua Loichene

. 84

INDEX.

397

Roscommon

— Colgen and Alcuin

Clonmacnoise — continued
Ceallach

Comman of Ross
St. Lucridh
Cormac

Ronan, not of Kilronan, County
Folachtach

Forbasaeh Ua Cearnaij
Reachtnia
Snedriaghail
Murghal
Saerbhearg
Joseph Ua Cearnaigh-
Anaile

Poirecheallach of Fobhar
Suibne
Ronan
Cetadach
Conmac
Martan

Ferdonnacli of Mugdorna
Maeltuile Ua Cuaua
Maelpadraig
Tuadhcar ,
Mealodhar
Maelbridge
Blathmac
Cairbre Crom
Loingseach
Colman
Tibraide
Dunchadh .
Ainmire
O'Onagan .
Ua Maenaigh
Dunadhach
Cormac O'Killeen
Tuathal
Maenach
• Flann
Conaing Ua CoBgraigh
Mailpoil
Conaing
Flaithbheartach
Mueireadhach
Breasal Conailleach
Flaithbheartech
Loingseach Ua Flaithen
Bchthighern Ua Eaghrain
Maelfinnen MacOuinn-na-m-Bocht
Celechar Mughdhornach
Aihll Ua-h-Airretaich
Maelciarain

Tighearnach Ua Braein
GillachrlBt Ua Echitghom
Failhbheartach Un Loings
Ua Macloin
Gillachrist ua Macloin
Domhnall O'Dubhai .
Moriertach O'Melider
Tigernach O'Maoloin .

•598

INDEX.

^Cionmacnoise — continued :
Muireach O'Murrican
Edan O'Maily
Mailrony O'Modein .
Hugh O'Malone

Elias ....

Thomas ....
David ....

Thomas O'Quintin

Gilbert ....
William O'Duffy
William O'Findan
Donald O'Brien
Lewis O'Daly

Henry ....

Symon ....
Richard ....
Philip . . . •

Milo Cory ....
O'Galehor ....
Peter ....

Phillip O'Moeil and David Prendog
Cormac Mac Coughlan
John O'Daly, or Oldais
Walter Blake

Thomas ....
Quintin Jegyn .

Kichard Hogan, Bishop of Killaloe also .
Florence Kirwan
Roderick Maclean

Peter Wall ....
Thomas Dease, Bishop of Meath and Administrator
Anthony Geoghegan .

His Letter

Dr. Walsh's Letter to him

Rev. Peter Talbot's Letter to him

of Clonmacnoise

94
94
94
94
94
94
95
95
95
95
95
95
95
95
95
95

99

99

106

111

113

■Clonmacnoise Synods and Decrees

Statutes, declarations, and decrees of the Bishops assembled

Right Rev. Dr. Shial, Vicar-Apostolic

Right Rev. Dr. Edmond Jange, Vicar- Apostolic

Eight Rev. Dr. Moriarty Kearney, Vicar- Apostolic

Eight Rev. Dr. Fallon — James the Second interfered in his behalf, and
did not promote his appointment ....

Thadeus Coghlan, Vicar- Apostolic ....

James Donnelly, Vicar-Apostolic, ....

Dean Kenny, Vicar- Apostolic, .....

John Daly ......

Stephen Mac Egan, Letter to him from Rev. Thos. Eippol

Peter Mulligan ......

Thomas O'Beirne ......

Thomas Mac Dermot Roe .....

Augustine Cbeevers ......

Anthony Blake — His Statutes .....

Dr. James Brady ......

Dr. Cruise .......

Dr. Magauran ......

Banagher — Its great Cross and old Church

-Dr. Conroy — His birth — Education — Appointment to All- Hallows —

Consecration — His preaching ....

Appointment as Apostolic Delegate to Canada — His death and funeral 289

As a Theologian and Preacher . . . 290, 291

-As a Writer — Positivism ..... 297

109
115
115
115

115
121
121
121
121
122
132
132
132
133
133
138
138
138

288

INDEX.

PAGE

. 388

. 384

74. 75, 76

77,78

76, 371

62,64

335, 336

. 337

. 334

. 337

18, 19

20, 21
. 338

21, 22
. 382

22, 23
. 337
. 192

157-8
. 149
. 154
. 148
. 140

Clonmacnoise, pilgrimage to— in August, 1886

Cardinal CuUen — On an English Ambassador at Rome

Caillin, St., Shrine of, and Bell :

•Charlemagne

Colcu, or Colgan, Rector — His prayer

Coghlan's, Sir John, Will and Witnesses

Corcoran, Right Rev. Monsignore

Corcoran, Rev. John and Michael .

Dillon, Right Rev Monsignore — Buenos Ayres
Drumgoole, Rev- Father .

O'FarreD, Martyrs

Fathers Laurence and Bernard O'Farrell .

Revds. Anthony and Christopher O'Farrell

Farrell, Rev. Thomas .

The O'Ferral Princes

O'Farrell, James and Salisbury
E. Ferral, J.P., D.L., Lissard
Farrelly, Rev. Felix
Healy, Right Rev. Dr.
Irish Bishops — the Veto Question
Irish Bishops' Petition to the Holy See
Irish Bishops' Letter to Grattan
Irish Episcopate in 1714 .
Jamestown — Declaration of Bishops

Dr. O'Higgins— His Evidence before the Royal Commission at Maynooth 176-208
As a Professor at Maynooth . . . . .157

His consecration — Founder of St. Mel's Cathedral — His description of
it — Letter from Rome on the Queen's Colleges — Letters on a College
in Ardagh and the Irish College, Belgium — On the famine and deaths
inArdaghin 1848 . . . . 160,164,176,385,387

Dr. Kilduff — His birth — Ordination — Consecration
First Pastoral
Second Pastoral
Third Pastoral
Fourth Pastoral
Fifth Pastoral
Sixth Pastoral
Seventh Pastoral
Eighth Pastoral
Ninth Pastoral

His description of the Dedication of St. Mel's Cathedral
Missions procured by him for Athlone

,, „ Longford .

,, ,, Granard

Convents established by him at Longford
„ „ Banagher

„ „ Moate

As Theologian and President of Diocesan Conferences
-As an Administrator and Preacher
His Autobiography
His College — Founded — Completed
Its Presidents

His love and devotion for the Holy See
•Cardinal Newman's Letter to him
His last Visitation
-His death and funeral

. 208,209

210

211

217

220

227

229

234

238

241

246

251

252

253

254

.

255

2.56

257

257

258

258,

259

261

6,7,270

271

. 270,271

273

.

274

275,

276

262

263,

265

400 INDEX.

PAGE".
Dr. M'Cabe — Hia birth, education — His distinctions in College — Ordination —
Joined the Congregation of Missions — Eesided at Cork — Appointed
Rector of the Irish College, Paris . . . 276, 277

Letters of congratulation from distinguished ecclesiastics — his appoint-
ment as Bishop — Letters then received — His consecration — His
preaching as a Theologian . . . 278-283

His death ....... 286

Lovingly cared by the Right Dr. Gilooly . . . 287

His funeral — buried in Paris ..... 287

Monahan, the Right Rev. Michael, Bishop of Roseau — His birth, educa-
tion, ordination, consecration, and death . . 323, 324, 325-
St. Monahan —His Church and Shrine .... 351

Moriarty — Dean and Martyr ..... 359

M'Namee, Rev. Joseph ..... 337

Murray, Rev. Patrick . . . . .333-

Neville, Monsignore ...... 257

O'Reilly, Right Rev. Dr., Bishop of Hartford — His birth, education, ordina-
tion, consecration, and death . . . 321, 322, 333-
O'Reilly, Edmond, Archbishop . . . .32
O'Reilly, Abbot of All Ireland . . . .32

Right Rev. Dr. Woodlock — His birth, early education, went to Rome —
Highly distinguished there — Obtained his Degree of D.S.T. — Ap-
pointment in All-Hallows ..... 315-
His appointment as Rector of the Catholic University, Dublin — V.G. of
Dublin— His consecration by Pope Leo XIII. — Took possession of St.
Mel's Cathedral— Some of his loorhs . . 316, 317, 318, 319, 320

Smyth, Archbishop . . . . . .329

Stephens, James ..... 70, 71

Shane, Sir Francis . . ... 382

Synod of Usney . . . . . . 80 •

Walsh, Peter . . , . . . 32r

M. H. Gill and Son, Printers, Dublin.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBEES,

No. of

Copies

6. Eight Rev. Dr. Woodlock, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise,

Longford.
6. Right Rev. Dr. Gillooly, Bishop of Elphin, Sligo.
3. Right Rev. Dr. M'Cormack, Bishop of Achonry, Ballaghadereen.
2. Right Rev. Dr. Kelly, Bishop of Derry, Londonderry.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Nulty, Bishop of Meath, Mullingar.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Donnelly, Bishop of Clogher, Monaghan.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Logue, Bishop of Raphoe. Letterkenny.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Carr, Bishop of Galway, &c., Galway.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, Kilkenny.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Donnelly, Bishop of Canea, Rathmines.

1. Right Rev. Dr. M'Alister, Bishop of Down and Connor, Belfast.

2. Right Rev. Dr. Healy, Coadjutor-Bishop of Clonfert, Portumna.
1. Right Rev. Dr. Finnegan, Bishop of Kilmore.

1. Very Rev. Dean Bvrne, V.G., Dungannon.

3. Very Rev. Dr. Bugler, P.P., V.G., Birr, King's Co.

1. The Venerable Archdeacon O'Rourke, D.D., V.F., Colooney, County
Sligo.

1. Very Rev. Dr. Browne, President, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
8. Very Rev. Dr. Gargan, V.P., St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

2. Very Rev. Dr. Delany, S.J., LL.D., President, University College,

Dublin.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Egan, LL.D., Royal University.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Dean^ Eivers Mynard, Newtownforbes.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Coffey, P.P., V.G., St. Peter's, Athlone.
1. Very Rev. Dr. M'Elroy, P.P., V.G., Tullamore, King's County.
1. Very Rev. Canon Lee, P.P., V.G., Ballinahown, King's County.
1. Very Rev. J. Fahy, P.P., V.G., Gort, County Galway.
1. Very Rev. Dr. O'Leary, P.P., V.G., Roscrea.

3. Very Rev. Dr. Burke, President, St. Patrick's College, Carlow.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Kavanagh, P.P., Kildare.

1. Very Rev. Dr. M'Namara, President, Irish College, Paris.

1. Very Rev. J. S. Conmee, S.J. Rector, Clongowes-Wood College.

3. Very Rev Canon Reynolds, P.P., V.F., Ardagh, Edgeworthstown,

County Kildare.
1. Very Rev. Michael Gogarty, P.P., V.G,, Castlepollard, County West-

meath.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Higgins, P.P., V.F., Church of the Assumption, Delvin,

County Westmeath.
1. Very Rev. Canon Kearney, Moate.

1. Very Rev. John O'Reilly, P.P.. V.F., Killeshandra, County Cavan.

2. Very Rev. Canon Grey, P.P., V.F., Drumshambo, County Leitrim.

2 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

No. of

CopieSi

1. Very Rev. Canon Hoare, P.P., Street, County Westmeath.

1. Very Rev. Canon Smyth, P.P., Columbkille, Granard.

1. Very Rev. Canon Conefry, P.P., Gortletra, County Leitrim.

1. Very Rev. Timothy O'Keeffe, S. J., Rector, Limerick.

1. Very Rov. H. Harbinson, Rector, C.LL.R., of St. Joseph's, Dundalk.

1. Very Rev. James Dolan, President, St. Patrick's Colles-e, Cavan.

1. Very Rev. M. Comerford, P.P , V.F., Monasterevan, County Kildare.

1. Very Rev. Canon Sheridan, P.P., Ferbane, King's County,

1. Very Rev. Canon O'Hanlon, P.P., Saudymount, Dublin.

1. Very Rev. Canon Egan, Mantua, Elphin.

1. Very Rev. Jerome Smyth, C.P., Rector, St. Paul's Retreat, Moimt

Argus, Dublin.
1. Very Rev. Michael J. Murphy, V.P., St. Patrick's College, Carlow.
1. Very Rev. Dr. O'Donnell, Prefect, Dunboyne, Maynooth.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Lyster, President, The College, Sligo.
1. Very Rev. Dr. Owens, Professor, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

1. Very Rev. Dr. Boylan, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.

2. Very Rev. Michael Murray, P.P., Kilkenny West, Athlone.

1. Very Rev. Matthew Maguire, S.J., St. Stanislaus' College, Tullamore.

1. Very Rev. M. GafEney, P.P., V.F., Clara, King's County.

1. Very Rev. Dr. Jones, President, St. Patrick's College, Thurles.

1. Very Rev. Sylvester Malone, P.P., M.R.I.A., Clare Castle, County

Clare.
1. Very Rev. V. P. Flood, O.P., Prior, Tallaght, Dublin.
1. Very Rev. T. J. Rossitor, O.S.F,, Guardian, Athlone.
5. Very Rev. James O'Farrell, President, St. Mel's College, Longford.
1. Very Rev. Charles O'Malley, P.P., V.F., Boyle, County Roscommon.
1. Very Rev. Thomas Coen, P.P., V.F., Kilconnell, County Galway.
1. Very Rev.S. M'Ternan, P.P., M.R.LA., M.C.S.P.LL.,Manorhamilton.
1. Rev. Joseph Flood, P.P., Kingscourt, Meath.
1. Rev. P. Whyte, P.P., Miltownmalbay.

1. Rev. Philip Traynor, P.P., Glengavlin, Dowra, County Cavan.
1. Rev. Thomas Geoghegan, P.P., Kilbeggan.
1. Rev. Christopher Keogan, P.P., Ballymore.
1. Rev. James O'Reilly, P.P., Newtownforbes, County Longford.
1. Rev. Michael Gilligan, P.P., Cashel, Lanesborough.
5. Rev, P. Reddy, P.P., Kilronan, Carrick-on- Shannon.
1. Rev. John M'Givney, P.P., Lanesborough, County Longford.
1. Rev. John Corcoran, P.P., Mullahoran, Cloughduff, Cavan.
4. Very Rev. James Madden, P.P., Lusmagh, Banagher.
1. Very Rev. Hugh Farrelly, P.P., College-hill, Rathkenny, Slane, County

Meath.
1. Rev. James Sheridan, P.P., Clcone, Mohill, County Leitrim.
1. Rev. Patrick Murray, P.P., Finea, Ballymachugh.
1. Very Rev. D. Kelly, P.P., V.F.,Stroke8town, County Roscommon.

1. Rev. Thomas Derivan, P.P., Barmouth, Wales.

2. Rev. Patrick M'Morrow, P.P., Elilorgue, Carrick-on-Shannon.
1. Rev. Terence Sheridan, Whitefriar-street, Dublin.

1. Very Rev. Fr. Anthony O'Carroll, Rector, Holy Cross, Belfast.

1. Very Rev. Gabriel O'Hanlon, C.P., Mount Argus, Dublin.

1. Rev. James Davis, O.C.C, Whitefriar-street.

1. Rev. H. F. Gately, P.P., St. John's, Athlone.

I. Rev. P.Filan, P.P., Geevagh, Ballyfarnon.

1. Rev. John Smyth, P.P., Dowra, Carrick-on-Shannon.

1. Rev. Philip M'Carthy, P.P., Rathmore, Naas.

1 Rev. John Smyth, P.P., Black li on, Enniskillen.

LIvST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 6

No. of
Copies.

1, Rev. James O'Reilly, P.P., Shannon Bridge, King's County.
1. Very Rev. James M'Coy, Adm., St. John's, Limerick.
1. Rev. John Cardan, P.P., Castlegar, Galvray.
1. Rev. Thomas A. Mulkern, P.P., Clontuskert, Ballinasloe.

1. Rev. James Casey, P.P., Athleagiie, County Roscommon.

2. Rev. Daniel Monahan, P.P., Drumcondra, County Meath.
1. Rev. John Skelly, P.P., Carrickedmond, Longford.

1. Rev. P. Fitzgerald, P.P., Legan-Lenamore, County Longford.
1. Rev. R. M'Donagh, P.P., Oughterard, County Galway.
1. Rev. Matthevp^ Columb, P.P., Killashee, Longford.
1. Rev. John Briody, P.P., Killoe, Longford.
1. Rev. J. J. Kelly, P.P., Tulsk, Castlerea.
1. Rev. Francis O'Farrell, P.P., Abbeylara, Granard.
5. Rev. Michael Monahan, P.P., Clonbroney, Edgeworthstown.
1. Rev. John M'Keigue, P.P., Tynagh, County Galway.
1. Rev. P. F. Nolan, P.P., Ballon, County Kildare.
1. Rev. P. O'Connell, P.P., Corlough, Bawnboy, County Cavan.
1. Rev. Thomas Murphy, P.P., Forkhill, Armagh.
1. Rev. Cormac M'Sharry, P.P., Five-raile-bourne, Drumlease, Droma
haire.

3. Rev. Thomas Conefry, P.P., Drumlish, County Longford.
1. Rev. James Grey, P!P., Scrabby, County Cavan.

1. Rev. Arthur Sheedy, P.P., Monagea, Newcastle West.

1. Rev. Thomas Lynch, P.P., Rathowen, County Westmeatb.

1. Rev. Francis Donohoe, P.P., Mohill, County Leitrim.

5. Rev. Thomas Monahan, P.P., Drumsna.

1. Rev. Father Sebastian Keens, C.P., Mount Argus, Dublin.

1. Rev. Father Pius Devine, C.P., do.

1. Rev. Father Oolumban O'Grady, C.P., do.

1. Rev. Father Dominick O'Neill, C.P., do.

2. Rev. Terence Martin, Adm., St. Mary's, Athlone.

4. Rev. E. Mahon, Adm., Ballymahon.

1. Rev. P. Meehan, Adm., St. Mel's Cathedral, Longford.

2. Rev. Michael Corcoran, Adm., Scrabby, County Cavan.
1. Rev. Thomas James Burke, O.S.F., Convent, Limerick.
1. Rev. P. A. Keating, O.S.F., Athlone.

1. Rev. D. Murphy, O.S.F., Athlone.

1. Rev. Paul M'Donnell, O.O.O., Aungier-street, Dublin.

1. Rev. Eugene Kearney, C.C., Moate.

1. Rev. Eugene Smyth, C.C., Drumshambo.

3. Rev. P. O'Rourke, C.C, Cloghan, King's County.
1. Rev. Philip Duffy, Abbeylara, Granard.

1. Rev. Patrick Dolan, CO., Granard.

1. Rev. John M'Keon, C.C, Keadue, Carrick-on-Shannon.

1. Rev. James J. Dowdall, CO., Ardagh, Edgeworthstown.

1. Rev. Luke A. Plunkett, C.C, Balliuahown, King's County.

I. Rev. John Keville, C.C, Granard.

1. Rev. Joseph Coyne, C.C, Navan.

1. Rev. Thomas Maguire, C.C, Columbkille, Granard,

1. Rev. John Cashel, C.C, Ballinalee.

]. Rev. P. M'Gauran, Professor, St. Mel's College, Longford.

1. Rev. Joseph Grant Mooney, CO., St. Patrick's, Ringsend, Dublin»

2. Rev. Peter Redehan, C.C, Balliuahown, Athlone.
1. Rev. Joseph P. Spelman, C.C, Galway,

1. Rev. Edward O'Reilly, CO., Clonfanlough, Clonmacnoise.
1. Rev. Denis Gray, C.C, Drumlish, County Longford.

4 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS,

No. of

Copies.

1. Kev. J. J. Fulhara, Professor, St. Mel's College, Lougford.

3. Rev. Thomas Langan, D.D., CO., St. Rynagh's, Banagher.

1. Rev. John Brady, Chaplain, Orphanage, Kingstown.

1. Rev. Michael Kelly, CO., Balliuahone, Athlone.

1. Rev. William Gray, CO., Gowel, Carrick-on-Shannon.

3. Rev. James Dawson, CO., Ferbane, King's Oounty.

1. Rev. James Oasserly, C.C., St. Mel's Cathedral, Longford.

6. Rev. Joseph Atkinson, O.C, St. Mel's Cathedral, Longford.

1. Rev. P. A. Yorke, O.C, The Presbytery, St. Laurence O'Toole's, Dublin.

1. Rev. Eugene O'Reilly, CO., Granard.

1. Rev. B. J. Geraghty, C.C, Cloone, Mohill.

1 ReA'. C. Brennan, O.C, Birr, King's County.

1. Rev. D. Sheehan, CO., Birr, King's County.

1. Rev. C Stuart, CO., Birr, King's County.

1. Rev. Francis Duignan, C-C., Mount Temple, Moate.

1. Rev. Thomas O'Reilly, C.C, Bornacoola, Dromod.

1. Rev. John A. Pinkman, CO., Scrably, Granard.

1. Rev. Thomas Mackeu, C.C, Professor, St. Mary's, Athlone.

1 Rev. John Kelly, CO., Street, Rathown, County Westmeath.

!• Rev. Matthew Conefy, CO., Gortletera, Oounty Leitrim.

1. Rev- Daniel Coghlin, CO., Ballymackward, Oounty Galway.

1. Kev. J. H. Galligan, O.C, Aughavas, County Leitrim.

1. Rev.T. Scally, CO., Frankford, King's County.

1. Rev. "T. Bracken, CO., Frankford, King's County.

1. Rev. Thomas Boylan, C.C, Gortletera, County Leitrim.

!• Rev. Thomas Hourican, CC Ballintogher, Sligo.

1. Rev. L. Ryan, C.C, Eglish, Birr.

1. Rev. James Allen, C.C, Mohill, County Leitrim.

2. Mercy Convent, Longford.

2. Very Rev. Canon Farrelly, P.P., Edgeworthstown.

1. Rev. Patrick Briody, CO., Edgeworthstown.

1. Rev. Francis MacEnenry, CC, Bay View, Wicklow.

1. Very Rev. P. V. Kenny, Prior, O.P., Boula, Portumna.

2. The Convent Sacres Coeurs, Banagher.

1. Marian Grattan, Rev . Mother Abbess, Franciscan Convent, Drumshambo.

1. Right Rev. Monsignor Neville, Dean of Cork.

1. The Convent of Mercy, Moate.

1. Rev. J. Fagan, CO., Dunsaney.

1. Very Rev. Thomas P. Boylan, Prior, O.P., Dominican Convent, Sligo.

I. Very Rev. John Canon W igmore, D.D., V.F., Mallow, County Cork.

1. John Canon MacDermott, P.P., V.F., Ballymote, County Sligo.

1. Very Rev. Canon Duffy, P.P., Dromard, Arva.

1. Rev. Farrell Duffy, CO., Dromard, Arva.

1. Rev. P. Mulligan, Pastor, Llandudno, North Wales.

1. Rev. Eugene White, P.P., Tarmonbarry, Longford.

1. Rev. Thomas Madden, C.C, Eyrecourt, County Galway.

1. Rev. J. Kirwan, P.P., Eyrecourt, County Galway.

1. The Venerable Archdeacon O'Flanagan, V.G., Granard.

1. Re. Peter M'Givney, CO., Killoe, Longford.

1. Rev. John Deely, P.P., St. Laurence's, Tynagh, Loughrea.

1. Rev. Michael Hanly, P.P., Fairy Mount, Frenchpark.

1. Rev. Thomas Tynan, CO., Slane.

1. Very Rev. Michael Thomas Taylor,, O.P. P.G., Black Abbey, Kilkenny.

1. Very Rev. Thomas Rayd. Skelly, O.P.,S.J.L., Black Abbey, Kilkenny.

1. Rev. W. Brady, P.P., Aughavas, Carrigallen.

1. Canon Bourke, P.P., M.R.LA., Claremorris, County Mayo.

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. O

No. of
Copies. Tx 1 ,.

1. Rev. Terence Anderson, C.C., St. Laurence O'Toole, Dublin.

1. Very Eev. Thomas Cahill, P.P., V.F., Dromahair.

1. Mercy Convent, Newtownforbes.

1. Rev. James Coyle, C.C., TuUow, County Carlow.

1. Rev. P. O'Hara, St Oswald's, Old Swan, Liverpool.

1. Rev. P. Kiernan, St. Anne's, Deep-car, Sheffield.

1. Very Rev. Joseph A. Phelan, President, St. John's College, Waterford.

1. Rev. Robert Fegan, CO., 83 Aughrim-street, Dublin.

1. Rev. Farrell Sheridan, C.C, Drumcong, County Leitrim.

1. Rev. Thomas M'Goey, C.C, St. Mary's, Athlone.

2. The Right Hon. the Earl of Granard, &c., Castle Forbes.

2. John Taaflfe, J.P., D.L., Smarmore Castle, Ardee, County Louth.

2. E. Ferral, J.P., D.L., Lisard, Countv Longford.,.

1. The Count John N. Murphy, J. P., D.L., Clifton, Cork.

3. The Honorable E. 0. MacDevitt, Q.C

2. L. Counsel, J.P., South Kensington, London.

1. L. P. Reynolds, J. P., Daylestown House, Granard.

1. Philip Smith, J.P., Kevit Castle, Cavan.

1. Dr. Alfred John Smith, 26 Upper Mount-street, Dublin.

1. E. M. Gleeson, J.P., Benown, Athlone.

1. R. V. Maxwell, Solicitor, Longford.

5. John Hannin, J. P., Banagher.

!• P. King Joyce, A.B., Cuba House, Banagher.

1. Edward Costello, J. P., Carrick-on-Shannon.

2. James Nevin, Esq., Banagher.

1. William Hannin, Esq., Shannon Harbour.

1. Timothy Killeen, Esq., Banagher.

1. Terence Doorly, Esq., Cloghan.

1. John Devery, Esq., Cloghan.

1. Hubert Keegan, Esq., Cloghan.

1. Michael Garahy, Esq., Cloghan.

1. Daniel L'Estrauge, Esq., Woodlands, Belmont.

i. John Adye Curran, Q.C, County Court Judge, Ralhraines.

1. James Francis Lombard, J. P., South Hill, Upper Rathraines, Dublin.

1. William Murphy, C.E., J.P., M.P., Dartry, Upper Rathmines, Dublin.

1. John Fahy, Esq., Banagher.

1. John Hurly, Esq., Banagher.

1. John Grogan, Esq., Cloghan.

1. Denis O'Rourke, Esq., Mount Allen, County Roscommon.

1. Daniel Lestrange, Esq., Charlestown.

1. Martin Lestrange, Esq., Cloghan.

1. Michael M'Keon, Solicitor, Carrick-on-Shannon.

2. William Hague, Architect, 62 Dawson-street, Dublin.
1. P. Monahan, 24 West Square, London, S.E.

1. Rev, William M'Namee, 1104 Oakwood Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois.
1. Rev. D. A. Tighe, 1104 Cikwood Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois.
1. Rev. Joseph P. Egan, Tarrytown, New York.
1. Mr. John M'Namee, Legga, Longford.
1. Mr. Joseph M'Namee, St. Mel's College, Longford-
1. Mr. Wiliam M'Namee, Corglass, Longford.
1. F. F. Sheridan, Esq., Athlone.
1. Patrick RafEerty, Esq., J.P., Monaghan.
1, Rev. John Baxter, Mendham, New Jersey.
1. Very Rev. James Hughes, Vicar-General, Hatford, Connecticut.
1. Rev. Peter Donohoe, Church of the Transfiguration, Brooklyn, New
York.

6 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

No. of

Copies.

6. Rev. Joseph M'Namee, St. Teresa's Church, Brooklyn, New York.

1. Rev. John Baxter, Babylon, Long Island.

1. Sister Mary de Sales, St. Joseph's Convent, Brooklyn, New York.

1. Mother Mary Teresa, St. Joseph's Convent, Flushing, Long Island.

1. Sister Mary Elizabeth, St. Joseph's Convent, Flushing, Long Island.

1. Mr. VVilliam Taaife, Chester, South Carolina.

1. Mr. John Quinn, Earl-street, Longford.

1. Rev. Patrick Magowran Corr, Flackerrsack, New Jersey.

1. Rev. Thomas Quinn, St. John's Church, Paterson, New Jersey.
5. Rev. Edward Corcoran, St. Joseph's Church, Brooklyn

5. Rev. Thomas Taafe, St. Patrick's Church, Brooklyn.

2. Rev. James Taafe, St. Patrick's Church, Brooklyn.

1. Rev. P. J. M'Namara, Church of our Lady of Mercy, Brooklyn.
1. Rev. John M. Kiely, Church of the Transfiguration, Brooklyn.
1. Rev. Charles O'Doherty, Church of the Transfiguration, Brooklyn.

3. Rev. John J. M'Namee, Mount St. Vincent, New York.
1. Mr. Edward Riley, Seventy-second Street, New York.
1. Mr. Patrick Riley, Seventy -second Street, New York.
1. Messrs. Joseph Levy, New York.

1. John Spelman, Twenty-sixth Street, New York.

1. Patrick M'Sweeny, West Twenty-fifth Street, New York.

1. John Tully, West Twenty-third Street, New York.

1. Edward Duffy, Twenty-first Street, Second Avenue, New Yoik.

6. Thomas Monahan, 633 Douglas Street, Brooklyn.
6. Patrick Monahan, 408 De Kalb Avenue, Brooklyn.

6, Hugh V. Monahan, 657 Fifth Avenue, Prospect Height, Brooklyn.
6. Michael Monahan, 437 Court Street, Brooklyn.
6. William Monahan, 437 Court Street, Brooklyn

2. John Monahan, 169 Sackett Street, Brooklyn.

1. Justin M'Carthy, M.P., 20 Cheyne Gardens, London, S.W.

1. B. C. Molloy, M.P., 3 Elm Court Temple, London, E.C.

1. L. Connolly, M.P., Ellerslie, New-Brighton, Cheshire.

1. Thomas Quinn, M.P., Annally House, Cadogan-Square, London, S.W.

1. Rev. Bernard M'Givney, C.C, Ferbane, King's County.

1. Rev. Charles O'Farrell, C.C, Ferbane, King's County.

1. Rev. John Ley bourn, O.C.O., Whitefriar-street.

1. Captain O'Leary, C. & T. Staff, Kilkenny.

1. D. Tierney, C.E., B.A., Belle Vue House, Westwood Park,

Southampton.
1. The Rev. Patrick O'Reilly, CO., Drumsna, County Leitrim.
1 . Mr. Patrick Meara, Garbally, Banagher.
1 . Mr. Patrick Lynch, Lusmagh, Banagher.
1. Mr. Owen O'Shea, Bunn, Ologhan, King's County.
1. Mr. James O'Sullivan, Esker, Banagher.
1. Mr. Patrick Doyle, Ferbane, King's County.
1. Mr. J. P. Foy, 'T.C., Church-street, Athlone.
1. Very Rev. Canon Hutch, D.D., President, St. Colman's College,

Fermoy.
1. Mr. Christopher M'Grane, Cloghan, King's County.

4181

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